Volume 4, Issue 9July, 2010

Pastor’s Corner

Rev. Walter C. Harris, Sr.

Our Independence Day

Although we celebrate July 4

with the traditional BBQ dinners, parades, baseball games, carnivals,and fireworks, the strict observation of the original day in 1776 has lost most of its importance. Blacksfind it hard to recognize that document of declaration of freedom from the Kingdom of Great Britainwhile our forefathers were still slaves. These words have finally fulfilled their meaning in the lives of Black Americans. Now that the Supreme Court has shifted to the right and the traditionalconservatives can no longer play with words to create ways to define God’s sun kissed people asbeing inferior. We can now all say loudly and proudly the most significant words that our whiteAmerica’s forefathers wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”Nevertheless, the notion of being liberated from an oppressive regime, USA, has always grasped thedesires of our hearts. We too, believe that freedom can be a reality for ourselves and our children.Our eyes have seen the election of our first black president, Barach Obama. So the glass ceiling hasbeen shattered. We are left without excuses when we fail to explore new horizons.Jesus Christ is the ultimate liberator. He summated His calling when He went to the synagogue andread these words from the book of Isaiah "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointedme to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners andrecovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Luke4:17-19)." We who are in Christ have found our freedom from sin.

Our independence day

was themoment that we received Christ into our lives.Let’s celebrate

our independence day.

Obviously, the most appropriate way of observing our freedom in Christ is rejoicing in worship, having fellowship meals, discovering wisdom through studyand communion in prayer. Whenever we participate in developing our relationship with the Lord weenhance the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,temperance) in our lives. These gifts that the Spirit gives us free us from hate, fear, loneliness, brokenheartedness, anger and wickedness. We overlook those people and institutions that try to harm us,because we are conquerors in Christ. “We know that all things work together for good to them thatlove God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).”So document that date of your deliverance, the day that you confessed your allegiance to Christ.Work out your own soul salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Afterward, liberate othersby bringing them to Christ. “This joy that we have the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take itaway.”

Youth Church

Rev. Wilbert Cook

The Youth Church held its first “Friday Night Live Game Night” on June 19

. Everyone had fun.Approximately 40 youth from the church and community participated in the games and the food andfellowship.Thanks to Cheryl Washington who provided 3 boxes of games for the youth to enjoy.Our next “Friday Night Live” worship service will be Friday, August 20

from 6:30pm – 9:00pm. Anyyouth who would like to participate in this service should contact Rev. Wilbert or Rev. Renet.

Sunday School

Joycelyn Murdock

On Friday, June 25, 2010, Canaan AME Church in Maywood, Illinois hosted the annual North DistrictSunday School Convention. The District convention is where all of the churches in the district cometogether and make important decisions for the district.This year Carey Tercentenary was invited to contribute to the greatness of this event by instructingthe convention’s primary class. Six students, ranging in ages 6 thru 8 years old participated in thisclass. We were blessed with Sam and Neal, both 8 yrs. old and Tiana-7 yrs. old from Bethel AMEChurch, Ira-6 yrs. old from Brown Chapel and Yanise - - 8 yrs. old from Quinn Chapel.Representing Carey, Lauren Ashley Murdock presented a lesson teaching the students the hierarchyof the AME church and the importance of service. “I chose to talk to the students about theimportance of service because serving and bettering my community is very significant to me" said Ms.Murdock. Her Scripture she highlighted was from 1 Peter 4:10. Canaan’s Sunday SchoolConvention was a successful, exciting event as usual.

Board of Christian EducationVacation Bible SchoolVacation Bible School will be held Monday thru Friday, July 26

– July 30

. More informationwill be included in the bulletins.

Health Commission

Rhonda Lay

First Time Marijuana Use

It is the beginning of the summer and for many children, adolescents, and teenagers, it is also theseason for first timers to experience drug use, especially marijuana. It has been found that themonths of June and July are the highest months for experimentation.The reason is that parents give children some freedom celebrating proms, graduations and summer break from school. Their children go to summer camp, pool and camping parties. A lot of older teenagers (18 and 19) are leaving home for the first time and are introduced to the drugs oncampuses. Also there is a campaign (TV’s WEED and the movie HOT TUB MACHINE) out theretelling our children at any age that it’s okay to use drugs. Who can forget the picture of MichaelPhelps with a pipe at his mouth and he only got a slap on the wrist. The message that they arereceiving is TRY IT AND IT'S ALL RIGHT.Parents may not be aware that there is a drug that goes undetected on drug tests called K2 or Spice,in America it's called an “herbal incense" and has caused an increase in ER cases. These cases arereported as an increase in heart rate and respiratory problems. Some statistics show that 16% of 8th graders, 32% of tenth graders, 42% of seniors, are using andthat 50% of American adults have experienced marijuana during their lifetime before the age of 15.Does age matter? No, since 1983 there has been a trend that the age group is gettinglower. Researchers think the surge comes from the legalization of medical marijuana in over 14states and more states are considering legalizing marijuana.The fear factor is that parents are afraid to approach the subject with their children. Parents think thatmarijuana is not that harmful or AT LEAST THEY ARE NOT DOING ALCOHOL OR HEROIN. It isalso a known fact that marijuana is a vehicle to more serious drug addiction. Researchers have linkeddependence on genetic factors too. It is a known fact that children with emotional problems, history of depression and bi-polar disease use drugs to self-medicate. How do we eradicate this problem? Talk to your children about drug usage, make demands/rules onthem when they are around their peers, and repeat the talk over and over again. Tell your children theconsequences and punishment of disobeying the talks, and be a good listener and watch dog. After all, we are trying to protect them from the dangers ahead.

Men’s Seminar

The second annual men’s seminar was held on Saturday, June 19

. Approximately 20 men from thechurch and the community were in attendance.The men received information on father’s rights, the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, includingthe need for health screenings. Mr. Michael Hodges spoke on fatherhood and spirituality, how did itever get separated? He stressed the importance of being a Christian influence in a child’s life?

Benevolence CommitteeFathers’ Day Celebration – Passover from Boys to Manhood

The Benevolence Committee challenged the men to become mentors to the young men of Careyaged 12 - 20 by participating in a Rites of Passage and making pledges.The four main responsibilities of Christian manhood included in the service are paraphrased below: