Search This Blog

Sunday, December 25, 2011

WHERE IS JESUS NOW? (The Real Story of CHRISTmas, part 4)

The popular image of Jesus and the Wise Men shows 3 devout kings kneeling with shepherds around the manger of an infant Jesus. According to the Bible, that image is wrong.

Discover the real story. Learn why the wise men and the evil King Herod where so obsessed with the question “Where is He?” Find out where Jesus actually was and how he got there. Then find out why it’s so important to ask yourself the question:
WHERE IS JESUS NOW?

Listen well.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Friday, December 23, 2011

THANK YOU

Thank you to the the members of Hall Memorial CME Church who signed up and showed up to minister at the Christmas Clothes Closet, December 19-23rd.  I am mindful of what it means to give up hours of your Christmas week.  You committed your time, and I noticed that every one of you gave more hours than you signed up for. 

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, (1 Thessalonians 1: 2, 3)

Thank you for carrying and folding, for sorting and labeling, and for setting up tables and racks (including the rack you had to fix after I knocked it over trying to unplug the Christmas tree in the dark).

You made each person who came in to the Christmas Clothes Closet feel like they were a v.i.p. customer entering an elite boutique.  You gave warmth to some who would have been cold that night.  You provided gifts for some who had none to give this Christmas. You took time for conversation and spoke comfort to folks who hadn’t heard much good in a while.   And, you gave at least one young man the first suit he’d ever owned in his life. 

God knows that you served joyfully and well. 
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6: 10)

Thank you, Rev. Perry, Jerome, Sis. Bibbins, Carol, Jerome, Cheylon, Sis. McReynolds, David, Gwen, Andre, Kathy, Minister Madlock, Inell, Stacy, Bro. Moore, Bro. Jackson, Shelia, and all kids and other adults who came by to quietly lend a hand without being seen.

I love being your pastor. 

Merry CHRISTmas,

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II

p.s. See you Sunday at 9 A.M.

Monday, December 19, 2011

WHAT WE DO at HMCME


Today, I heard Luke chapter 2 eloquently read by two African-American girls (Kaitlin & Alexis).

I watched 10 year old Alexis sit down at the piano and play  “Silent Night.” Then I listened to a 13 year old African-American male named Quinton play it on his trumpet. 

Moments later I watched a twenty-something year old sister named Cheylon perform a classical dance that moved her so deeply that she and several members of the audience, including me, were in tears by the end of the song. 

Shortly after that, a chorus of African-American males 13 years old and younger sang “Mary Did You Know.”

Leaving this place, I watched people hug and shake hands, pausing to share holiday plans and ask about each other’s family.  I saw people standing in front of a bulletin board, adding their names to a list of volunteers who’ll give out clothing to the needy in the week before Christmas.

This was no benefit concert nor holiday special.

This was just church at Hall Memorial.

You should join us.

Hall Memorial CME Church, 541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, Alabama.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Real Story of CHRISTmas, part 3: LOOK WHAT GOD WILL DO

Take a walk through Luke 2: 21-40. Meet Simeon and Anna. Understand the realness of Joseph’s and Mary’s situation. See how God uses what looks like randomness and circumstance to deliver magnificent blessings to His people, and learn where you need to be to receive the blessing God wants to deliver to you.

But understand, you can’t get there with elves and reindeer.
Instead, LOOK WHAT GOD WILL DO when we understand The Real Story of CHRISTmas

Listen well.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BABY

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE BABY NAMED JESUS

We’ve all heard the story of Jesus’s birth and the shepherds who visit him many times, but have you been paying attention to the real story or to the bootlegged version. Why? Why does it even matter to get this story right? Maybe it has something to do with our traditions? Maybe it has something to do with our shopping plans? And, maybe there’s just something about the baby whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day?

To find out, pay attention.

No audio time, but the text of the latest sermon at Hall Memorial CME Church is available at the link below.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BABY NAMED JESUS.

http://media30.podbean.com/pb/c39c41813de9455c76d477f61209a4d3/4ee6ecf8/blogs30/46502/uploads/SomethingaboutthebabynamedJesus12_11_11.pdf  

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116
Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
Email us at hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves