About My Father’s Business Outreach Ministries (a Grace Brethren Church)

Yesterday was the first day of our 3-day Traveling Carnival event.  It was a true blessing.  We weathered the 95-degree heat to bring fun, food, games, entertainment, and most importantly…the joy of Christ into the Ivy City community of Washington, D.C.  All of the preparation and hard work was well worth seeing the smiles our outreach created .  Many community residents were surprised, yet happy to see a church walking the walk and being about God’s business!  Prayerfully, our presence made a considerable impact in leading community residents to our church and/or to the way of the Lord.

Our choir’s regularly scheduled rehearsal was cancelled in order to give full time and attention to this project.  Also on Wednesday (7/26), Bible Study was cancelled, as there was much more to do for Carnival preparation.  We will resume our studies within the book of Revelation on Wednesday August 2nd at 7:30pm.

We will resume our Traveling Carnival today in Washington, D.C.’s Langdon Park community.  We’d love to see you there!

** Want to see more Carnival preparation & event photos?  Click on the Carnival album (top left)    

Saturday, AMFB members participated in our once monthly Women’s Homeless Shelter ministry; where we spread the good news of Christ, uplifted the spirits of many, and fed them good food (literally and figuratively speaking).  The missions team from NorthWest Chapel of Ohio were delayed by slight van trouble, but PRAISE GOD they made it down safely and joined us in our Sunday morning service. 

What a wonderful day!  The choir sung anointingly, powerful.  Pastor Joyce preached from Judges chapters 6 and 7 in a sermon he titled, ‘Faith and Committment’.  The focus of the sermon was to address serving God with complete efficiency…that includes the missions field.  What you do when no one’s looking tells what side you’re on.  It is very important to labor for God.  Faith and fear don’t mix when outreaching into the community…getting your hands dirty for God’s glory.  There is no joy in disobedience.

After service, we ate Popeye’s  and fellowshipped with one another. 

Although Monday is typically our day of rest, the NorthWest Chapel missions team along with many of our own members began to prepare for our upcoming Traveling Carnival.  This is going to be an event to reach out to the community by way of Ivy City and Langdon Park in Washington D.C. and introduce these parts of the city to our church.  The meeting and plannings began at approximately 4pm yesterday.  Everyone was broken up into five groups:  Dance, Shopping for drama skit supplies, Painting the games, Shelter visit to pass out literature and water, and the Clown group.  The festivities begin on Thursday July 27th and continue through Saturday the 29th.   Everyone is invited to come.  There will be games, clowns, Gospel Hip-Hop, dance, prizes and a stage play titled, “How To Fix A Broken Heart”. 

Today, many AMFB members gathered at Grace Brethren Church in Clinton, Maryland to continue getting everything prepared for the Traveling Carnival.  Many arts and crafts were done  in addition to continuing the choregraphy for the dance segment, and more.  The AMFB choir ‘Behind The Cross’, had their regularly scheduled rehearsal at 6pm, but they had it at Grace Brethren instread of AMFB to keep everything in order and under one roof.  It was a very busy, but productive day! 

One big, happy family…About My Father’s Business Outreach Ministries and Grace Brethren Church.  Thanks so much for your love and time NorthWest Chapel.  As we eagerly anticipate the Traveling Carnival, we pray for God’s blessings to be upon us to touch those that needs Jesus.  We realize that we aren’t just doing this to reach the lost, but also for the unity of faith amongst ourselves.  Thank the Lord!

Today’s agenda is still being coordinated.  Please check back in soon.    

Yesterday our choir had their regularly scheduled rehearsal.  They worked out the final kinks of the song ’Holiness’ and are set to sing it in the upcoming Sunday service.

We are now entering our 5th week/installment within the Revelation series of Bible Study class.  The persecution we (Christians) will and are feeling within these last days are becoming more evident and examples were stated toward that fact; including a NBC news story which covered an incident that gained national notoriety some years back:  a fourth grader was reprimanded by school authorities for openly bowing his head and praying before eating his lunch.

Wednesday (7/19) evening’s study focused on THE MESSAGES OF THE GLORIFIED CHRIST TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES:  Revelation 1:9 - 3:22 and even more specifically, Revelation 2:1-7…The Message to Ephesus:  The Orthodox Church, but a Church Without Love.  These verses were broken down into sections:  1. The Recipients  2. The Speaker (Jesus)  3. The Commendation  4. The Complaint…forsaking your 1st love (when folk leave a church for petty, UnGodly reasons, instead of doing all in their power to work it out; not sticking in for God)  5. The Counsel…Remember, Repent, & Do  6. The Warning  7. The Promise: To Overcomers.   Christ addresses the Revelation to only seven of the churches in that time.  Why?  Because the seven chosen churches are representative of the all churches of the earth.  Christ requires a standard from all his churches, even amidst being different types of churches.  Each church, no matter it’s condition, can discover what kind of church it is by taking an honest inventory of it’s major traits and checking them against what God requires for his church…a church that’s faithful to Christ, follows God’s word, and has love within.  A church where love has ceased can no longer function properly according to God’s word.  Some churches die from a lack of outreach, lack of planning for the rising generation, and more.  A church can ‘kill themselves off’ by not treating others with love. 

Think about that for a second!  Deep, huh?  We urge you to become involved; be serious about God, and show love to others.  We’d love to share our ministry with you and help you along your way.   Our doors are open, Bible Study or otherwise.  But regardless of where you land…PLEASE read your bible people.  This is really important stuff!

Tuesday, our regularly scheduled choir rehearsal was held at 6pm.

- Correction to July 16th blog “EXAMINE YOURSELF…WHAT’S TRULY IMPORTANT“  

Leader of Missions ‘Pastor Martin’ of North West Chapel in Ohio, is set to come down this weekend with a missions team to praise, worship, labor, and outreach with us.

We apologize for the type-o’s/incorrect info appearing within that post.  Thanks for your graciousness.    

** Feel free to leave comments about any blog post/entry by clicking on comment (at the end/bottom of each blog entry).  We value your feedback, words of encouragement, etc.  -OR- e-mail us www.amfbgrace@yahoo.com

Today is Monday; our day of rest and rejuvenation.  No church events are scheduled. 

Yesterday evening, guest Pastor Kevin Mince from the Disciples of Christ Ministry came out with many fellow D.O.C. members to help celebrate our Usher Board.  He preached a touching sermon at our 1st Annual USHERS DAY celebration ceremony, also our 1st evening service.  
Ushers are a gift to the church…the gift of helps.  Although they are the doorkeepers on the front-line, they’re often times unseen.  A Pastor Mince quote:  “Everyone wants for someone to serve them, instead of serving God with all that is in you.”  That’s what Ushers do; they don’t expect to be served.  They get up of a willing spirit and serve others for the
kingdom of God.  Pastor Mince said, “Ushers summed up in five words…Leader, Greeter, Meeter, Seater, and Helper.”  So true!  They hold the church together in so many ways.  From directing folk to their seats, collecting offering, maintaining order within the sanctuary during service, giving kleenex to those who need it, and so much more…oh, AND they even cook delicious meals off the clock for church functions; their willingness of giving is a reflection of the church.  We at AMFB are so proud and so appreciative of our Usher board .  Thank you for everything!        

What a blessing service was today!  The choir sung two beautiful selections, ‘What If’ and ‘I Love the Lord’.  Meagan Corrado  uplifted the Lord in a beautiful solo.  We welcomed a few visitors this morning, including Tundé, whom we were also blessed to have in Bible Study this past Wednesday.

Before starting the sermon, Pastor Joyce told the youth (teens & pre-teens) to pay careful attention to the his preaching because at the end of service, he would ask each of them to give an outline of what they learned.  The outline(s) which showed the most detailed understanding of the word would receive a prize.  Pastor then preached from Psalm 73 and he titled today’s sermon, ‘Myopic Faith’.  The word myopic derives from the word myopia (nearsightedness), which is an eye condition where visual images come into focus at the front of the retina.  In other words, those with myopia can only see and/or focus in on what’s right in front of them.  Seeing distance/distant objects is virtually impossible without the proper treatment, surgeries, etc.  Pastor Joyce used this analogy to preach on the causes and effects of spiritual myopia…those who are bound because they can only see the temporal, the here and now. 

Psalm 73 was written by Asaph acknowledging that he took his eyes off God to follow the proserity of the wicked; how he had cleansed his heart in vain and washed his hands in innocency before finally going into the sanctuary of God and gaining understanding.  He put his trust in the Lord and realized that those who prosper within the world may not see the kingdom of heaven.  Asaph came to a place where the prosperity of his soul was greater than all else.

Fellow believers, don’t allow your Christian perspective to be distorted.  Don’t question your God and your faith because of the prosperity of the world.  ALLOW GOD!  Allow Him to be within you in every possible way so that you may take a better look and see what is truly important; your eternal salvation.   

Directly after the sermon, Pastor called the youth to the front of the church to give their sermon outline.  They eagerly waited in line  each waiting for their turn.  It appeared that everyone paid attention!  All of the recaps were great.  Ronald and Devin tied for 3rd place, Dominique and Jamika were a 2nd place winning team, and Taylor Dodson and Tyice Cunningham were the grand prize winning team!  Productive and enlightening fun!  It’s wonderful to see God’s youth representing for Him.

This evening at 5pm, we are having our 1st annual USHER’s DAY celebration.  Praise the Lord!  The Usher Ministry is a very giving, very proud ministry that is continuing to grow and uplift the kingdom through their dedication to Christ.  Stay tuned for info and photos of this event!

Yesterday (and every Saturday) our missions team gathered at the church to watch The Way of the Master video(s) before hitting the streets and knocking on doors to spread the word of God and to extend invitation to About My Father’s Business.  We are praying for and requesting involvement from more of our members to assist with this form of outreach.  The more people, the greater outreach capacity.  BELIEVERS…if there are those of you out there who already have a church home, but still want to be involved in a street-team effort extend the love of Christ to those who may not know him, hit us up at www.amfbgrace@yahoo.com with any questions and someone will get back with you asap.  It’ll be a privlege to have you!

The time is nearing.  Pastor Martin and his flock are set to come down this weekend from North Chapel in Ohio (Grace Brethren) to praise, worship, labor, and outreach with us.  The countdown is on!!

Thanks for stopping through our blog.  God bless and keep you all!

Today our choir ‘Behind The Cross’ had our regularly scheduled rehearsal at 6pm.  God has sent two more of His faithful to the choir.  It is so exciting  to see our music ministry growing .  Thank you Father!

Yesterday evening, Bible Study was very insightful and thought provoking.  Pastor continues to teach from Revelation.  Our focus of study was Revelation 1:9-20; persecution in the last days.  We discussed John’s first vision of Christ.  His subsequent stay on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ .  We did an intense breakdown of this section including:  His loud trumpeting voice giving instruction, His presence in the midst of the seven golden or the lampstands or the churches, his awesome and frightening appearance, His reassuring presence and care, His clear instructions, and His interpretation of the vision.

As the weeks progress, we’re getting deeper into this study.  Please don’t hesitate to come join us next Wednesday evening at 7:30pm.  Member or not, we’d love to have you.  Come get some truth in fellowship and love with us.  

Tuesday, our choir had their regularly scheduled choir rehearsal at 6pm.

** Keep checking out the AMFB Times album (top right), for photo updates! 

We at AMFB (one of a few inner city Grace Brethren affiliate churches) are proud to be forerunners of discipleship for and within the Washington D.C. urban community.  We align ourselves in the ways of Christ and follow the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches…

STATEMENT of FAITH

We of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, in harmony wiht our historic position, believing the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible to be our infallible rule of faith and of practice, and feeling our responsibility to make known the divine message of the bible, present the following articles as a statement of those basic truths taught in the Bible which are common to our Christian faith and practice:

1.  THE BIBLE:  the Word of God the sixty-six Books of the Old and New Testaments, verbally inspired in all parts, and therefore wholly without error as originally given of God (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21).

2.  THE ONE TRUE GOD:  existing eternally as three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22; Matthew 28:19; Corinthians 13:14).

3.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST:  His preexistence and deity (John 1:1-3), incarnation by virgin birth (John 1:14; Matthew 1:18-23), sinless life (Hebrew 4:15), substitutionary death (II Corinthians 5:21), bodily resurrection (Luke 24:36-43), ascension into heaven and present ministry (Hebrew 4:14-16), and coming again (Acts 1:11).

4.  THE HOLY SPIRIT:  His personalit y (John 16:7-15); and deity (Acts 5:3-4); and his work in each believer:  baptism and indwelling at the moment of regeneration (I Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:9); and filling (Ephesians 5:18) to empower for Christian life and service (Ephesians 3:16; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23).

5.  MAN:  his direct creation in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28), his subsequent fall into sin resulting in spiritual death (Genesis 3:1-24); Romans 5:12), and the necessity of new birth for his salvation (John 3:3-5)

6.  SALVATION:  a complete and eternal salvation by God’s grace alone, received as the gift of God through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 1:18-19).

7.  THE CHURCH:  one true Church, the body and the bride of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-32), composed of all true believers of the present age (I Corinthians 12:12-13); and the organization of it’s members in local churches for worship, for edification of believers, and for world-wide gospel witness, each local church being autonomous but cooperating in fellowship and work (Ephesians 4:11-16).

8.  CHRISTIAN LIFE:  a life of righteousness, good works, and separation unto God from the evil ways of the world (Romans 12:1-2), manifested by speaking the truth (James 5:12), maintaining the sanctity of the home (Ephesians 5:22 - 6:4), settling differences between Christians in accordance with the word of God (I Corinthians 6:1-8), not engaging in carnal strife but showing a Christ-like attitude toward all men (Romans 12:17-21), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23), and maintaining a life of prayer (Ephesians 6:18; Philipians 4:6), including the privlege, when sick, of calling for the elders of the church to pray and to annoint with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:13-18).

9.  ORDINANCES:  the Christian should observe the ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are [1] baptism of believers by triune immersion (Matthew 28:19) and [2] the threefold communion service, consisting of the washing of the saints’ feet (John 13:1-17), the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 1:20-22, 33-34; Jude 12), and the communion of the bread and the cup (I Corinthians 11:23-26).

10.  SATAN:  his existence and personality as the great adversary of God and His people (Revelation 12:1-10), his judgement (John 12:31), and final doom (Revelation 20:10).

11.  SECOND COMING:  the personal, visible, and imminent return of Christ to remove his Church from the earth (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) before the tribulation (I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10), and afterward to descend with the Church to establish His millennial kingdom upon the earth (Revelation 19:11 - 20:6).

12.  FUTURE LIFE:  the conscious existence of the dead (Phillipians 1:21-23; Luke 16:19-31), the ressurection of the body (John 5:28-29), the judgement and reward of believers (Romans 14:10-12; II Corinthians 5:10), the judgement and condemnation of unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15), the eternal life of the saved (John 3:16), and the eternal punishment of the lost (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:15). 

** Want to see church event photos, click the AMFB Times album (top right)

Today is the church’s DAY OF REST!  Although ’Pops’ (a term of endearment used by many A.M.F.B. members referencing Pastor Joyce) commitment to community and spiritual outreach is a daily task, he made Monday the church’s day to regroup, reflect, and renew for the remainder of the week and subsequently, there are no church activities scheduled.   

Yesterday’s 11:15am church service was awesome!   Pastor preached from Exodus 17: 8 - 16 and touched on Ephesians 6: 18 in a sermon he aptly titled Wilderness Warfare.  We have to fight to remain steadfast and we must never stop praying.  Prayer is our direct connect to the most high.  Prayer is power.  Prayer is necessary!  We’re in a proverbial constant battle for our salvation.  So, no matter what is going on in our lives positive or negative, we must keep prayer our priority in order to be victorious.  For those who would like to hear this sermon personally, you can receive an audio CD of the sermon for a $5 donation.  Feel free to join us for Wednesday night Bible Study @ 7:30 and/or Sunday morning service @ 11:15 and pick one up while you’re there.  If you’re unable to attend, but still want a CD…NO PROBLEM!  Just send us an e-mail at www.amfbgrace@yahoo.com with your full name, mailing address, phone number, and (in the subject box) type 7/9/06 sermon CD -or- call us at (202) 548-7555.  One of A.M.F.B.’s representatives will respond to you promptly to organize the transaction.

Service ended at 12:30pm. Directly after service, Deacon Jay Thomas called a meeting with our male members.  The church has access to many resources.  From security system technicians and salespersons, those in masonry and carpentry fields, telephone and fiber installers, and more…the professional variety of men God has blessed us to have within the church speaks volumes to their ability to labor for the church.  His purpose for calling the meeting was to rally the men of the church to give more of their personal time in order to perform menial tasks (i.e. weekly church and church grounds clean-up, etc.).  At About My Father’s Business, we are a family. We address our concerns and issues and come up with a resolution as a family.  The meeting was received well by all and beginning in August, there will be an organized, scheduled approach to starting and completing projects, and getting the menial jobs done weekly.

At 3pm, Pastor’s grandson Elijah celebrated his 1st birthday with family, church family, and friends at Pastor and Mrs. Joyce’s home in Fort Washington, MD.  It was a day of fun for the kids and adults, with tasty food and wonderful fellowship.   

2006 has been such a blessing for us.  More and more we’re seeing the fruits of our labor.  We’re growing in number, in spirituality, and in our conviction. 

The last couple of months have been very busy for us.  God’s grace allowed our pastor Stephen Joyce  to leave his full-time job working for ADT, in order to dedicate and focus ALL of his time and energies into the ministry .  We had a wonderful ceremony to celebrate that fact!  God is so good.  

Sister Sharon Bowen started an insightful Christian Parenting class.  Her aim through Christ is to encourage spirit and faith-based child rearing.  What a blessing! 

Some members rededicated their lives to Christ and a few were even baptized . 

The Christian play ’BROKEN’ was held in a nice theater on the University of MD College Park campus.  It was wonderfully entertaining, while simultaneously soul-touching. BROKEN was exceptionally written and directed by our own, Minister Eric Jones.  A.M.F.B. members Tanisha Thomas and Marquita Joyce were among the cast.  There was great music, dancing, and acting.  What a wonderful time! 

Married couples (along w/ Pastor and Mrs. Joyce) chose The Olive Garden twice already, to eat, talk candidly about marital issues, and fellowship with one another. 

The youth of two separate Grace Brethren Churches from Ohio came down to assist us in ‘hitting the streets’ for Christ .  They also did a magnificent job assisting with the churches aesthetic rejuvenation, including a new paint job on the nursery & Sunday School room.  What a blessing it was to have them! 

Our homeless shelter outreach ministry continues every 4th Saturday of the month, where we sing praises, share the gospel, and feed them delicious home-cooked meals .  This ministry instills a sense of humility and compassion, while reaching souls for the kingdom.  Hallelujah!     

On Friday June 30 at 8pm, we held a ’Teen Summit’ event to reach out to teens/young adults who have an interest in the entertainment industry.  Our goal was to educate the youth about the pros and cons of pursuing an entertainment career by featuring a panel of six individuals  (all church members) who are and have been in ‘the biz’.  The panel included a popular overseas DJ, an actress/choreographer, a music producer, a script writer/director, and two singers/songwriters.  It was an eye-opening and entertaining time.  The theme of the night was to keep God first in all you do.  If entertainment is your path, don’t compromise your integrity or your faith to follow it.  If it is in God’s will, he will make it possible for you to follow your dreams without damning your soul.  That’s so true! 

Wednesday night Bible Study continues to be a blessing each week at 7:30pm.  June 28th started our studies in the book of Revelation.  July 5th was our second study session since we began it.  Come join this coming Wednesday June 12th for our third installment.  It’s never too late to get started!  

Stay posted for updates and information.  God bless and keep you all!