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

Today from 5:30pm - 7:30pm, we have our Women Shelter Outreach.  Have a heart to help?  Feel free to join us at the Mitch Snyder Open Door Shelter for Women located on the corner of 2nd & D Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.  We pray for God to use us to bring souls to Christ .

Thursday’s 6pm choir rehearsal was cancelled.

Wednesday evening Bible Study resumed in the book of Revelation; Chapter 2 verses 18-29 to be exact.  The title of the lesson was, THE MESSAGE TO THYATIRA:  The Compromising or Permissive Church.  In particular, this section of Revelation focuses on Jezebel (a self-proclaimed prophetess); whom tolerates false teaching, sexual immorality, and idolatry.  This topic is relatable to current day because many churches compromise their Christian holiness and morality due to economic pressures.  Many times the, God understands why we had to compromise our Christian integrity attitude is taken in order to excel economically.

The standard of JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY!  The Promise: To us who follow him rightly and do his will to the end, he will give us authority over the nations. 

Keep witnessing. Keep loving.  Keep worshipping.  Keep reading and studying the word.  Keep believeing.  Stand steadfast. 

Sunday’s service was full and blessed.  Praise God, we had quite a few visitors!  A slide show of various missionary events AMFB has been a part of in the last few months was shown  to visitors and members alike to encourage a giving spirit outside of the church walls.  We have a lot to be proud of and simultaneously, a lot more work to do for Christ.  There was also a baby dedication.  Chevy and Chris dedicated their new daughter Kennedy to Christ .  Pastor Joyce annointed her precious head with oil and the entire chruch prayed with and for Kennedy to grow up into the ways of God, along side her familial support system. 

The sermon was titled POWER FROM ON HIGH; WHO GETS IT?  This is Pastors second week going through the book of Acts.  This time, we followed him through the second chapter.  Important factors we learned were that our responses to the Spirits’ coming has to be one of turning from sin, accepting the ultimate gift of salvation from God, and subsequently obeying God’s message.  Other factors learned were that we must accept the purpose of the Spirits’ coming through worship, work, and witness.  We as a church are the called out ones.  We have been empowered by Christ to do the work of ministry (in all forms) and loving ourselves and one another.  One of the biggest problems in the church today is that is that many people within it’s walls consider themselves coming to a function when they should be coming to church exclusively to worship the name of Christ and usher others closer to him.  

This sermon was very spirit-filled, annointed, and full of information that all should receive.  If you were unable to make it to service Sunday, you can hear the service for yourself on CD.  For a $5 donation, it can be yours.  Listen to it, study it, understand it, and live it!

…And remember church, let’s strive to give the Kingdom back a portion of all that God has given us; thorugh our tithes and offering , our love and kindness to others, our good works and missions, and through our prayers. 

Today our choir has their regularly scheduled choir rehearsal at 6pm.    

The couples fellowship last night was a blessing and a privledge.  The focus of the fellowship was romance .  The couples played mental interaction games to test each persons knowledge of their partner; as well as a session of kind words and gift giving from the husbands to their wives.  Often times amidst working, kids, and other daily responsibilities, romance can fizzle in the shuffle of it all.  In addition to keeping God first, the importance of keeping romance strong within the marriage is extremely high.  It is essential to keep Christ at the forefront of your marriages, but also having an inner network of other married couples to fellowship with can potentially strengthen your bond.  Plus, it’s just plain fun!

Other married couples are encouraged to join our couples fellowship every third Friday evening of the month (stay tuned for next month’s location). 

Thursday’s choir rehearsal went well, as they prepared to sing a new song for tomorrow’s service.

Wednesday night bible study continued in the book of Revelation, chapter 2 verses 12-17.  We learned more about churches role in the last days and the expectation Christ has of his church.  The importance of repentance, not giving people false hopes, and being a faithful witness not a ‘Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday Christian’ were also focus points.

Come out to our Bible Study group on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm.  You won’t be disappointed.  We will continue in the book of Revelation until it’s completion.  Your soul will be fed and your spirit will long for more…more truth and more fellowship.  

As Sunday service nears, we ask all to pray for our church family, our pastor, our choir, and anyone else who is to minister in some way to bring souls closer to Christ.  We pray that About My Father’s Business continues to reach the lost and that more people will come into the light of God and Jesus Christ.    

On the second Friday of each month at 7:30pm, there is an exclusive fellowship at AMFB for our men.  The theme of the event is ‘Men Committed to Love and Leading by Example’.   This is a relatively new ministry that went off without a hitch this past Friday (8/11).  The men snacked on chips, pastries, and other refreshments as they discussed their roles (or what their roles need to become) of leadership and encouragement within the church.  It was a blessed time !  We welcome all men who want to become stronger Christians and family men, or who may want to make new friends in a brotherhood of God, to come out next time…Friday September 8th at 7:30pm.  We pray for this ministry to grow in Jesus name.

Every first, second, and third Saturday, from 12 to 2pm is our Missions Ministry Mobilized!  Come out and learn to share your faith without fear.  This ministry is very important and a definite focal point for an outreach ministry church such as ours.  We don’t want to be a church only within the walls of the church, but we want to take church into the streets…to places that need Christ.  In order to do this, many have to learn (and desire to learn) to be a witness and not be afraid.  We want to keep people from going to hell, at all costs.

Sundays service was anointed.  Our choir lifted the Lord’s praise in joyous songs.  We praise God for our Music Ministry!  Pastor Joyce preached a sermon titled, We Are Witnesses from Acts chapter 1.  Pastor will be preaching from the entire book of Acts until it’s completion and Sundays sermon was a wonderful beginning.  

Luke is the author of Acts.  This first chapters’ purpose is to let us know that Christ isn’t finished working and we must be witnesses to that effect.  Being a witness means being compelled by God as a natural order.  Because you love God and you are a spirit filled believer, you should love your fellow man enough to tell him of God’s love and saving grace.  You MUST have the fullness of God and have him in your heart completely in order to be a true witness.  Many churches today are so consumed with becoming/being organizations instead of being organisms (define organism: A system regarded as analogous to a living body).  We (the church) must be a living witness and live your daily life in anticipation of Christ’s return! 

1.  WITNESSES OF THE LORD’S LIFE (vs.1-5) / a. Convincing proofs  b. Command for power

2.  WITNESSES OF THE LORDS MESSAGE (vs. 6-8) / a. Message of the kingdom  b. Message for the world     

3.  WITNESS OF THE LORD’S ASCENSION (vs.9-11) / a. “He was taken up”  b. “He will come back”

4.  WITNESS OF THE LORD’S PEOPLE (vs.12-14) / a. Together in an upper room  b. Praying together 

5.  WITNESS OF THE LORD’S WORD (vs.15-22) / a. Prophetic fulfillment  b. Honest explanation  c. Clear qualifications

6.  WITNESS OF THE LORD’S SOVEREIGNTY (23-26) / a. Candidates nominated  b. Commitment affirmed  c. Choice concluded

For all of you who were unable to make it Sunday, we pray that this outline will aid you in your reading.  We will resume our next Sunday service in the book of Acts and would love to have you there.

Our choir’s regularly scheduled 6pm rehearsal is set for today. 

Tomorrow evening is our 7:30pm Bible Study, where we continue to go through the book of Revelation.  Come feed your mind and spirit with us!

Our Couples Ministry and Night Out is fast approaching this Friday (and every third Friday) at 8pm.  Keep your relationships healthy while having fun, eating well, and fellowshipping in Jesus name with other married and engaged couples.  Pastor Joyce’s home will be the destination this time.  Location will vary from month to month, so stay posted for future information.    

Yesterday evening’s Bible Study resumed back in the book of Revelation.  The setting of the evening was laid-back, warm, and inviting as we sat in a circle instead of the usual row seating format .  The teachings were titled, The Message to Smyrna:  The Persecuted Church.  Revelation 2:8-11 was the lesson focus.

Verse 8 - The Recipients:  The messenger of the church.  In other words, the ministers (in all forms of ministry); those who lead by example.  The Smyrna Church.  In other words, the persecuted Church; the church that continues to have faith and praise in the eye of tribulation, poverty, and suffering…even when the community attacks it’s witness.  Verse 8 (continue) - The Speaker:  Jesus.  The words of him who is the first and the last, who died and came to life again.

Verse 9 - The Commendation:  For afflictions.  For bearing poverty…destitute poverty.  Some ’so-called believers’ would say that one has no faith if they are poor.  That is an untruth; a lie against the word of God.  For spiritual wealth.  Be rich in the mission of doing the will of God; bear the fruit of the spirit.  Quit living a life of trying to prove you’re a Christian by your works and start living a life of faith!  For bearing slander.  Express our love for God by how we treat one another.  The Synagogue of Satan.

Verse 10 - The Counsel:  Do not be afraid.  The devil will persecute you.  In other words, you’ll be put in a proverbial prison of suffering to be tested.  Persecution will be limited.  Do not fear and be faithful (even to the point of death). 

Verse 10-11 - The Promise (to the overcomers):  The crown of life…for the victorious only!  The deliverance from the second death. 

What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know they must do at the last day.  For each of us, the time is coming when we shall have nothing but God.  Health and wealth and friends and hiding places will be swept away and we shall have only God.  To the man of false faith, that is a terrifying thought; but to real fatih, it is one of the most comforting thoughts the heart can entertain. 

A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)  

Today our choir has their regularly scheduled rehearsal at 6pm.            

Today there are no activites scheduled.

It is so good to have Pastor back home.  We missed him and Mrs. Joyce a lot, but the Grace Brethern Church conference they attended in Palm Springs, California was a blessing full of insight and information.  Although Grace Brethren Churches (America) are predominately White, there is a very large number of Grace Brethren churches on the continent of Africa.  We at AMFB are one of a few Grace Brethren affiliate churches located within the inner city and we take pride in setting the tone for what will prayerfully be the goal of churches across America; to bring the love of God and resources of the church into communities that need it most.

Yesterday’s sermon was titled, Standing in the Gap Through Prayer.  Pastor Joyce preached from Ezekiel 22: 23-31.  This nation is in need of a tremendous healing, but many churches today act as the problem more than the solution.  The sad  reality is that many people in the church are full of hypocrisy.  Sometimes that hypocrisy causes people to flee from the church..flee from God.  Instead of leaving, God wants us to stand in the gap and pray.  The church is the living body of Christ.  It is our responsibility as Christians to pray for one another and our church.  Ask yourself a question:  How would our prayer life increase if you could see the world in which you live through the spiritual realm, as God sees our world (demons battling for your soul, etc.)?  We would be on our knees all day, everyday.  We must embrace the ministry of intercession and make the commitment to be consistent with it. 

Before the benediction, there was an alter call to pray and be prayed for, as well as communion (every first Sunday of the month).  After service, the Ushers served delicious BBQ chicken and rib dinners (also every 1st Sunday).

Tomorrow, our choir has their regualrly scheduled 6pm choir rehearsal.

** Feel free to leave comments (click comment below) about any blog posts.  Want to contact us at AMFB?  E-mail us at www.amfbgrace@yahoo.com

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

Yesterday evening we had our regularly scheduled Bible Study.  Minister Eric Jones taught a lesson titled, “Suffering”.  The questions posed were, “Is it God’s will that his people suffer?  How do/should we act in our suffering?  Are there any benefits to our suffering?”  He focused in on Job 1:6-12; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Hebrews 2:9,18; 1 Peter 3:14; Philipians 3:10; and Romans 8:17&18.  God’s will for each person is different, but some are made to live on this earth to suffer to be a testament to others.  God is better seen when one is still able to rejoice within their torment and weakness.  Remember to praise God in the midst of your suffering, not just when things are going smoothly!  

Pastor Joyce will return from his blessed conference trip to California this weekend.  We will commence our studies within the book of Revelation when he is present to continue teaching, next Wednesday (8/9). 

Friday and Saturday’s Carnival outreach  within the Langdon Park community of Washington, D.C. was such a blessing.  Just as with Thursday’s event, there was plenty of food, family, entertainment , and fun in Jesus name.  Friday was hot, but Saturday was a scorcher!  According to meteorologists, there were supposed to be thunder storms over the weekend.  Early Friday afternoon it rained quite a bit within the D.C. metropolitan area, but God saw fit for the Carnival to go on without a hitch at 5:30pm and Saturday at 2pm…NO RAIN!  Thank you Jesus!

Sunday service was such a blessing.  Pastor Martin of NorthWest Chapel assisted our praise and worhip song team by playing his guitar.  Our pastor Stephen Joyce and his lovely wife Rosie were in California for an important conference (stay tuned for the details when Pastor returns).  Minister Eric Jones  filled the gap and preached a sermon titled “The Classifieds”.  He focused in on the book of Matthew, chapter 9 verses 35-38 and referenced it to God’s expectation for us to be involved for Jesus; within outreach ministries, within church activities…within every aspect of reaching out and giving back.  Since the harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few, pray for the Lord to send laborers into the harvest.  

AMFB, let’s strive to be laborers for the kingdom.  Let’s go the extra mile to give Christ back a piece of what he has given us.  Let’s pray for our current congregation, our future congregation, and let’s pray for God to send us laborers.

Sunday was a blessed, yet emotional time.  We had to say good-bye to the NorthWest Chapel group as they headed back to Dublin, Ohio.  Many tears fell .  Their love for Christ showed so evidently in their willing spirit to give us and our surrounding community their commitment and time.  They appreciated the past week as a learning experience as well as a platform to become closer to God and so did we.  We are ever greatful for their love and continued support of About My Father’s Business Outreach Ministries.

Now that the Carnival mission is complete, we are back to our schedule.  Yesterday was our usual day of rest.  Today, our 6pm choir rehearsal is scheduled to commence.

** Want to see more Carnival pics?  Click on the Carnival album (top right)