Greater Bethel 131st Anniversary Program

Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 140 Rose Street, Athens , Georgia 30606 The Reverend Marben Bland, Pastor www.gbaathens.org

131st

Anniversary

3:00 PM Sunday, October 22nd, 2023

One Night Revival 7:00 PM Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

“Changing Seasons An Unchanging God” Lamentations 3:22-23

The Reverend Chekibe Holman Senior Pastor First AMEC, Athens, Georgia Anniversary, Preacher

The Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw Senior Pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church West, Athens, Georgia Revivalist

Order Of Service Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Celebrating The 131st Anniversary of The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Sister Gwen Manzy, Worship Leader Theme: Changing Seasons – An Unchanging God

Doxology: “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” The Reverend Marben Bland,Pastor Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia

Call to Worship Sister Gwen Manzy, Worship Leader, Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia

Hymn of Praise #513 “Time is filled With Swift Transitions” Invocation Sister Wadene Derricotte Ebenezer Baptist Church West, Athens, Georgia Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 Sister Amelia Rosemond Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia Summary Of The Decalogue The Reverend Marben Bland, Pastor, Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia Welcome/Occasion Sister Katheryn Davis Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, GA Announcements Pastor’s Aid Ministry

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Selection First AME Choir Worship Thru Giving The Reverend Marben Bland, Pastor, Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia “All things come of Thee” Introduction of Speaker The Reverend Syretta Holman, Co Pastor First AMEC, Athens, Georgia Selection First AME Choir The Message The Reverend Chekibe Holman, Senior Pastor First AMEC, Athens, Georgia Invitation To Discipleship The Reverend Marben Bland, Pastor Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia #251 I Surrender All Remarks Sister Cheryl Jones, Steward Pro-Tem Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, GA The Reverend Marben Bland, Pastor Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia Benediction The Reverend Chekibe Holman, Senior Pastor First AMEC, Athens, Georgia 2

Changing Seasons – An Unchanging God

A Call To Worship Inspired By Lamentations 3:22-23 Leader: Rejoice! “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and His mercies never come to an end, and they are new every morning.”

People: Rejoice: We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful unchanging love never ends from season to season.

Leader: Rejoice! For the Lord has blessed The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia to serve the Lord for 524 seasons since our founding in 1892.

People: Rejoice! For every morning for 131 years, God has shown his unchanging love in new and wondrous ways.

Leader: Greater Bethel has experienced many changing seasons. Established less than 40 years after emancipation, we have weathered the season of struggle as we survived Jim Crow, the season of conflict with two world wars and countless other military escapades, the season of activism during the Civil Rights Movement, the season of victory and pride with the Presidency of Barrack Obama and the season of survival as we emerge from COVID 19.

People: So, as we celebrate this 131st Anniversary of The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia let us rejoice! For regardless of the season, regardless of the challenge, and regardless of the saints who populated the pews, Lamentations 3:2223 reminds the people of Greater Bethel and all of us that the “Lord has been our portion.” And that the Lord remains unchanging regardless of the season.

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#513 Time Is Filled with Swift Transition (Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand) Jennie Wilson/F. L. Eiland

1. Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Refrain: Hold to His hand, to God’s unchanging hand; Hold to His hand, to God’s unchanging hand;Build your hopes on things eternal;Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

2. Trust in Him who will leave you, Whatsoever years may bring; If by earthly friends forsaken, Still more closely to Him cling.

3. Covet not this world’s vain riches, That so rapidly decay; Seek to gain the heavenly treasures: They will never pass away.

4. When your journey is completed, If to God you have been true, Fair and bright the home in glory Your enraptured soul will view.

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Lamentations 3:22-23 Easy-to-Read Version

22 We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends.

23 Every morning he shows it in new ways!

You are so very true and loyal!

Lamentations 3:22-23 The New Revised Standard Version

22The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

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Summary Of The Decalogue The Congregation, Rises and Sings: “From all that dwell below the skies, let the Creator’s praise arise; let the Redeemer’s name be sung, through every land by every tongue.”

The Minister Says: Hear what Christ our Saviour saith, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all my mind.

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

THE GLORIA PATRI “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.”

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T

R E H

EVERE

ND

CHEKIBE C.

HOLMAN

Senior Pastor First AMEC, Athens, Georgia

The Reverend Chekibe C. Holman is the Senior Pastor of The First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia. He is a 1994 graduate of Alabama A&M University, with a B.S. degree in Plant and Soil Science. In 2021 he earned a Master of Divinity from Turner Theological Seminary.

Ordinated as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Holman has pastored churches in Cairo, Georgia, East Point, Georgia, Savannah, Georgia, Wrens, Georgia and now in Athens, Georgia.

In each of his pastoral charges Reverend Holman has used his commanding preaching and strong entrepreneurial skills to create environments where people are empowered, communities are improved, and souls are brought to Christ.

Reverend Holman is married to the Reverend Syreeta Holman, who serves as Co-Pastor at First AME. Believers in the radical hospitality of the Gospel, the Holman’s live in Greensboro, Georgia with their son Adrian a 10th grade 7 scholar athlete at Lake Oconee Academy.

Sermon Notes

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A teaching from Pastor Marben Bland

This week we celebrate the 131st anniversary of The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia.

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and that His mercies never come to an end, and that they are new every morning.”

“Changing Seasons An Unchanging God” is the Lamentations 3:2223 inspired theme for our Sunday, October 22nd worship service and the Wednesday evening October 25th revival.

The Book Of Lamentations is God’s response to a triple disaster that be failed Israel. In swift succession the temple and Jerusalem were destroyed, its lands were occupied by an invading army, and its leading citizens were deported into captivity in Babylon.

With obvious parallels to today, the poems in The Book Of Lamentations gives answers in a season of death to the question: “How could this happen to God’s beloved city?”

In the 524 seasons since its founding in 1892, Greater Bethel has experienced many changing seasons. Established less than 40 years after emancipation, we have weathered the season of struggle as we survived Jim Crow, the season of conflict with two world wars and countless other military escapades, the season of activism during the Civil Rights Movement, the season of victory and pride with the Presidency of Barrack Obama and the season of survival as we emerge from COVID 19.

So, as we celebrate regardless of the season, regardless of the challenge, and regardless of the saints who populated the pews.

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds the people of Greater Bethel and all of us that the “Lord has been our portion.” And that the Lord remains unchanging regardless of the season.

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#251 I Surrender All Judson W. VanDeVenter/Winfield S. Weeden

1. All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily give.

Refrain I surrender all, (I surrender all). I surrender all, (I surrender all).

All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

2. All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow; Worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me, Jesus, take me now.

Refrain I surrender all, (I surrender all). I surrender all, (I surrender all).

All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

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Order Of Service One Night Revival 7:00 PM October 25, 2023 Sister Annie Ingram, Worship Leader

Doxology: “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

The Reverend Marben Bland – Pastor, Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia Worship In Music Ebenezer Baptist Church West Choir Prayer Deacon Asa Boynton Ebenezer Baptist Church West, Athens, GA Welcome Pastor’s Aid Ministry Worship In Music Ebenezer Baptist Church West Choir Introduction Of The Revivalist The Reverend Frankie V. Jordan Song of Preparation Deacon Reginald Willis Message The Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw, Senior Pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church West, Athens, Georgia Remarks The Reverend Marben Bland – Pastor, Greater Bethel AMEC, Athens, Georgia Benediction The Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw, Senior Pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church West, Athens, Georgia

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Memorials And Advertisements

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In Loving Memmory Brother James Holston Missed by his wife and family

Devoted Husband, Father And Grandfather

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In Memory Of Our Mother And Grandmother

Mrs. Mabel Arnold Roundtree

Raymond & Janice Roundtree Deborah a. Roundtree Michael & Jenney Roundtree Keelan T. Gaines But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation, we will recount your praise. Psalms 79:13

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s n o i t a l u t a r Cong to the

Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

For 131 Years Of Godly Service

Pastor Marben Bland & Family 17

Nathaniel NathanielPierce, Pierce,Sr. Sr. Roxie RoxieT. T.Pierce Pierce

The Pierce Family

Although the circle has been broken Our love for you both continues.

Miss you both dearly Nathaniel

Your Children: Brenda Yelder (Isaac), Valerie Buford (Ronald), Tiffany (Dennis) Rosalyn Bassett (Terry, deceased), Nathel Dubose (Jeffrey), Nathaniel Pierce, Jr. (Deirdre)

Your Grandchildren: Toya (Marco), Tiffany (Dennis),Tamir (Ariel), Taliah, Terry, Jr (Sonya), Tenathius, Jeffery, Jr. Naron, Nathan, Deon, Nicholas

Your Great Grandchildren:

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Congratulations to Greater Bethel A.M.E On Your Anniversary

In Loving

memory Rev. Isaac C Yelder Patsy W Yelder Theodore R Yelder Mary W Gamble

The Yelder Family The Pass Family The Smith Family 19

In Loving

MEMORY Of Kayrell Green Clark

Walter Washington Melton Green

By The Family Of Dr. & Mrs. Donarell Green, Jr. 20

oving Memory Of In L

Y JONES R A G Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle

Your Loving Wife

Cheryl

Your Children Gary, Carlos, Candace, Rokayah Your Grandchildren Gary, Andre, Tenique, Amelia

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706-444-5558 Adrick A. Ingram, CEO/Licensed Funeral Director Annie S. Ingram, Business Manager

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Veita J, Bland, MD Primary Care Physician And Hypertension Specialist

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Listen To The It’s A Matter Of Your Health Podcast

www.drblandradio.com

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Online Ministry Options

Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

marbenbland.com

www.GBAAthens.org www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846 Call 301 715 8592 ID :903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846

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BETHEL

Events

GREATER One Night Revival

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 @ 7:00 P.M. Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw And Ebenezer Baptist Church West will be our guest. The service will also be streamed.

Bible Study Malachi an original 4-part Bible Study, written by Rev. Janice Rhodes Cases and Rev. Marben Bland will start on Thursday, October 26th @ 7:00 P.M. on Zoom. Books are $10.00 payable to the church please see Sister Annie Ingram to get your book today. Online books are available go our Facebook page or website GBAAthens.org download.

Trunk-A-Treat Tuesday – October 31, 2023 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – GBA Parking Lot

Bettye Holston Elementary School Celebration The Bettye Holston Elementary T-Shirts have arrived pick up your order from Judge Patricia Barron Additional T-Shirts are available for $30.00.

Bettye Holston Elementary School Naming Ceremony 1:00 PM, Friday, November 3, 2023 205 Alps Road Athens, GA 30606.

Give To Greater Bethel

CASH APP

App: $bethel140

GIVELIFY Greater Bethel Athens

Mail: Post Office Box 49773 Athens, GA 30604

www.GBAAthens.org www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846 Call 301 715 8592 ID :903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846