News and Announcements

Metropolitan’s Women’s Season 2012 Committee, Public Relations Commission, and Church School, and the Daniel Alexander Payne Community Development Corporation, Metropolitan’s outreach arm, invite you to a “Taste and Talk,” a dining and documentary event on Sunday, May 6, 2012.  Following the 11:00 a.m. worship service, the exciting programs of Metropolitan’s Women’s Season 2012 will continue with a “Taste of the Met” smorgasbord, featuring the culinary skills and delectable delights of the women of Metropolitan.  The smorgasbord will be highlighted with a special screening of the film, “Daisy Bates:  First Lady of  Little Rock.”  Following the film’s presentation, the director and producer, Sharon La Cruise, will share a “behind-the-scenes” look at the film, which tells the inspiring story of the legendary woman who fought for the right of nine black students to attend the segregated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Metropolitan’s own Ernie Green of the Little Rock Nine and Ellen Fizer, who has historic ties to the Little Rock Nine, will join Ms. La Cruise in an interactive discussion, moderated by Metropolitan’s award-winning journalist, Dorothy Gilliam.  Admission to the film screening is free.  A donation of $10 is requested for the smorgasbord, and tickets are available from members of the sponsoring organizations.

Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Braxton, Senior Pastor
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Metropolitan AME Church
www.metropolitanamec.org

Scripture: Luke 24:36b-48 (NIV Translation). Jesus Appears to the Disciples 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

In the scripture, the disciples, like many of the other believers, found themselves locked behind closed doors huddled together, scared to death that they would meet the same fate that Jesus, their teacher, had met. By now, the reports are coming in. They were there when he was crucified; they were present when he was buried in the cave and the stone was rolled over the entrance. On the first day of the week, they saw with their own eyes the empty tomb. But then Mary the Magdalene reported that she had seen him alive. Now others were coming with similar reports. The disciples were confused and scared out of their wits. What is to be believed? What are all these rumors about? What do we do next?

Peter most of all, but all the others too, were loaded with guilt, grief, unbearable frustration, doubt, and anxiety. And in the midst of their confusion and anxiety about the empty tomb, the unthinkable and unimaginable occurred: Jesus appeared, standing tall in their presence.

1. When Jesus stands tall in your life, his presence restores the peace. Look at the first thing that Jesus does. In the midst of all the noise, chaos, and confusion, he restores the peace and tranquility that existed when he was alive just by saying: “Peace be with you.” Jesus’ mere presence restores a sense of peace to them.

There are many occasions in the bible when Jesus speaks peace and calms the situation. Remember when he was in the hull of the boat asleep, and remember when he walked on water to save his disciple walking in the midst of a raging storm? Both times he stood and spoke the word peace.

And there are many other times when Jesus brings a sense of peace and tranquility to a situation: Remember the lunatic in the cemetery who was found clothed and in his right mind. Remember the 10 lepers; the woman with the issue of blood; the man who couldn’t get into the pool of Bethesda – there so many others where Jesus brings a sense of peace and tranquility to a stormy situation.

You might know the story of Horatio Spafford, who was a successful attorney in Chicago, father of five children and an active member of a Presbyterian Church who knew what it was to live in peace and happiness. But without warning, life started crashing in on him. His only son died; then the great Chicago fire wiped out the family’s fortunes. Then, when he decided to take his family to Europe to lift their spirits, the ship was struck by an English vessel and his family, along with 226 other passengers, drowned at sea. Only his wife survived. Yet, out of his deep sense of sorrow and unwavering faith, Spafford composed the hymn we all know: “When peace like a river…when sorrow like sea billows roll…whatever my lot…it is well with my soul.”

Brothers and sisters, whatever is going on in your family, your job, whichever party is in office, whatever congress or the Supreme Court hand down – it won’t matter. If the living Jesus is standing tall in your life, you can live with a sense of peace.

2. When Jesus stands tall in your life, he challenges you to live with a conquering courage. Here is the second thing that happened when Jesus stood up in their presence: Jesus understood the disciples’ fears, but he challenged them to live with a conquering courage. “They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost” reads the NIV. Look at how Jesus deals with their fears; the Message Bible says: “Look at my hands; look at my feet—it’s really me. Touch me. (Instilling courage) Look me over from head to toe.” Can you imagine the courage it must have taken to touch him? Can you imagine how their whole persona and being must have shifted when they realized that Jesus had actually conquered death?

Sisters and brothers, when he who conquered death stands up in your life, your whole being will shift. You take on a conquering courage to live in spite of and because of he who stands tall in your life. Some will see your courage as arrogance, but with Christ standing tall in your life, there is a spirit that thrives to conquer the unconquerable. Cancer, unemployment, foreclosure, loss, death, terrorist attack, a school killing — as daunting as these challenges are, when Jesus stands tall in your life, there is a conquering spirit that will rise up in you to keep you pressing on.

3. Finally, when Jesus stands tall in your life, every challenge becomes an opportunity. When the living Jesus stands tall in your life, every challenge becomes an opportunity to let others see Christ living and standing tall in your life. In verse 45, “Then he opened their minds” and told them to go and witness to all nations.

It is a terrible thing to live closed minded. If we open our minds and spirits to the Jesus who stands tall in us, it will help us take the risk and walk through some new door.

If we open our minds and spirits, every challenge in life can become our witness that he lives in us.

No matter that you’ve been knocked down, everyday God is doing a new thing and he’ll stand you back up. No matter that you’ve been pushed out, he’ll close one door, and he’ll open another.

Every challenge will be accompanied by new possibilities…if you let Jesus stand tall in your life.

Metropolitan stands on the brink of yet another transformation. This won’t be the physical transformation of a decaying building into a beautiful edifice. God has already helped us achieve that miracle.

This will be transformation of our members – old, new and future — and our church. This transformation will be the glorious change God will work in our lives and our church when we become a tithing congregation.

Tithing is Transforming! Transformation begins next Sunday, May 6.

The Married Couples Ministry will meet on Saturday, April 28, 3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. In addition to devotions and a business meeting, Pharmacist Pamela D. Waring has been invited to discuss “Just How Do Those Little Pills Know What to Do and Where to Go.”

Metropolitan AME’s Sarah Allen Missionary Society is among the organizations that will share in the funds if DC is one of the top 21 cities competing in the “Fighting Hunger Together” Campaign.  One in six American struggle with hunger and Walmart and some of the nation’s top food companies are fighting hunger in a campaign that ends on April 30.  DC is one of the cities competing. You can help by going to www.facebook.com/walmart to learn more and cast your vote for DC .  Only a few more days left to vote.

Download the Fighting Hunger Flyer

As another step in reactivating our Class Leaders system to support our membership, class leaders will be dedicated during  both services this Sunday.  All class leaders are encouraged to attend either the 7:45 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, April 22.  This brief ceremony will provide an opportunity for the congregation to see the class leaders and for the class leaders to reaffirm their commitment.  For more information contact Stewards Thedford Collins (thedford.collins@gmail.com), Celeste Garcia (cagarcia68@aol.com), Joan Oxendine (willie-joan@comcast.net), or Flavia Walton (fwalton71@verizon.net).

The Women’s Season Core Committee, Public Relations Commission, and Church School of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church invite you to an enjoyable dining and documentary event on Sunday, May 6, 2012.  Following the 11:00 a.m. service, the exciting programs of Metropolitan’s Women’s Season 2012 will continue with a “Taste of the Met” smorgasbord, featuring the culinary skills and delectable delights of the women of Metropolitan.  The smorgasbord will be highlighted with a special screening of the film, “Daisy Bates:  First Lady of Little Rock.”  Following the film’s presentation, the director and producer, Sharon La Cruise, will share a “behind-the-scenes” look at the film, which tells the inspiring story of the legendary woman who fought for the right of nine black students to attend the segregated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Metropolitan’s own Ernie Green of the Little Rock Nine and Ellen Fizer, who has historic ties to the Little Rock Nine, will join Ms. La Cruise in a discussion, moderated by Metropolitan’s award-winning journalist, Dorothy Gilliam.  Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available from members of the three sponsoring organizations.

Seven Last Words of Christ

Metropolitan A.M.E. Church  Celebrates Women’s Day 2012
with Guest Ministers,  Rev. Nancy T. Lee and Rev. Jerri D. Edmonds

Two dynamic women of God whose words will bless your spirits and strengthen your faith will be the guest preachers on Sunday, April 15, 2012, during Metropolitan’s Women’s Day worship services. The Women’s Day theme, “I Am My Sister’s Keeper,” will be presented through the powerful and personal sermons of Reverend Dr. Nancy T. Lee during the 7:45 a.m. service and Reverend Jerri D. Edmonds at the 11 a.m. service. The call to serve as “your sister’s keeper” will be reinforced and you will leave praising the Lord for creating you in His image! The women of Metropolitan invite you to join us for both services to hear the anointed messages of these two great ministers.

Rev. Dr. Nancy T. Lee wraps her lifelong care for humankind in her professional study as a nurse and in her call to the ministry. She earned her nursing degree from Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City, a Masters degree in Religious Studies (with honors), and a Doctorate degree, both from Howard University. Rev. Lee’s doctoral research focused on “Caring for the African American Caregiver.” Rev. Lee’s expertise has garnered her nominations for awards through several civic and nursing associations. In 2011 she received the Religious Leader of the Year Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Rev. Lee is a native Washingtonian who currently serves as the Executive Minister of Community of Hope A.M.E. Church, Temple Hills, MD, under the pastorate of her son, Rev. Tony Lee, Senior Pastor. She resides in Fort Washington, MD with her husband of 44 years, Orlando W. E. Lee, and is the proud mother of two sons, Rev. Tony Lee and Rev. Bill Lee. In everything she gives God the glory and declares Philippians 4:13 her personal testimony (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”).

Rev. Jerri D. Edmonds acknowledged her call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in September 1997 and preached her trial sermon in June 1998. She was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in April 2002. Rev. Edmonds is married to Rev. Raymond F. Edmonds, Jr., and they are the proud parents of two teenagers, Raymond, III and Cierra. In October 1995, the ministers began the Gethsemane Ministry, which is now the Gethsemane A.M.E. Church. Rev. Edmonds presently serves as an Associate Minister at Falls Road A.M.E. Church where her husband is the pastor.

Rev. Edmonds has a passion for empowering our young people to become all God has called them to be through the Word of God and is committed to edifying the body of Christ by any means necessary. At Falls Road she serves as the Ministerial Liaison to the Music and Fine Arts Ministries, Director of the Harvest Evangelism Ministry, Director of the Youth and Young Adult Choir, and Director of the Fellowship Choir.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Rev. Edmonds is the second of three children of Garfield and Ruth Hudson. She received her early education in the Baltimore City Public School System. She received a B.A. in Information Science and Systems, and a Masters of Business Administration from Morgan State University. Serving the State of Maryland for over 26 years, Rev. Edmonds is currently employed at Morgan State University as a programmer analyst.

Rev. Edmonds cites as her favorite scripture, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” She loves the Lord and prays that she will always be a vessel that He can use for His glory.

Support Women’s Season 2012.

News4′s Pat Muse spole with Pastors from the Washington, D.C. region about what Easter really means. View on our web site.