132 Odell Clark Place Reverend New York, New York 10030 Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III

(T) 212.862.7474 Pastor (F) 646.870.0856 abyssinian.org Ramón Bryant Braxton

Director, Music & Fine Arts Ministries

Worship Service KWANZAA December 29, 2019

YOUTH SUNDAY

“To all those who enter here: Be thoughtful, be silent, be reverent. Before the service, speak

to God. During the service, let God speak to you. After the service, speak to others.

Prelude

Sarah Forde, Piano Sarabande George Frederic Handel

Call to Worship Maliha Thomas

Leader: We give thanks to God for all the blessings of this year.

People: We ask that the spirit of Kwanzaa be infused into every aspect of

our daily lives, that we may constantly remember the benefits and

obligations of family, community and nationhood.

Leader: May the light of the seven candles illuminate our daily affairs and guide us

into fulfillment of our true potential.

People: We remember our ancestors with reverence and love. May they

share with us their great wisdom and strength as we seek to

preserve and continue the heritage they have left us.

All: May the NGUZO SABA become beacons to us to live lives in

service, humility, unity, faith, love and strength. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Congregational Hymn Joy to the World #197

Invocation and Choral Response Amirah Thomas

Anthem

The Abyssinian Children’s Choir If You Have the Faith Raymond Wise

Pastoral Emphasis

Scripture

Meditation

The Abyssinian Children’s Choir Nobody but God Raymond Wise

Sermon and Invitation

Offertory:

Offertory Sentences & Selections

The Abyssinian Children’s Choir Forever We’ll Bless Him Cynthia Gowens

Doxology & Offertory Prayer Ella Rose Mathieu

Closing Hymn Doxology for Children’s Voices Richard Towns

Benediction Ari Mathieu

.

BIBLE STUDY • NEW MEMBERS CLASS • PRAYER • BABY BLESSINGS Sunday Morning Praying Band – Sundays - 7:00 AM

Sunday Morning Bible Study – 8:45 AM

Monday Afternoon Bible Class – 12:00 PM

Wednesday Mid-Week Manna Service – 7:00 PM

NEW MEMBERS CLASS SCHEDULE - Meets Sundays, 8:30 AM | Blue Room Class #1 At the Cross: Jesus and Salvation – January 5, 2020

Class #2 Faith Foundations: Baptist Polity and Practices – January 12

Class #3 The Abyssinian Baptist Church: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – January 19

Class #4 Giving God Our Best: Worship & Stewardship – January 26

BABY BLESSINGS Babies are blessed on the 2nd Sunday of each month in the 10 AM service.

Parents planning to have their child blessed at Abyssinian must attend the Baby Blessing

Class. For details/registration, contact Reverend Pamela D. Mason, 212.862.7474 Ext. 204. Next

Class: January 15, 2020, 6:30 PM.

PRAYER REQUESTS Bereavement • Rev. Reginald Bachus (Grandmother, Mrs. Wilma Bachus), Valerie McKee (Mother),

Families of Deacon Mattie Copeland, Leona E. Brown, and Vera McIntosh. Trustee Lamonda Williams

(Uncle), Trustee Jose Zenon (Aunt), Cecil Mullins (Uncle), DeBora Jones (Mother), Saundra Parks (Mother).

Members Sick/Shut-In, Recovering • Leola Linnen (Mother of Naomi Graham), Sabrina Cartern

(recovering from hip surgery), Edith Brookes (Recovering from accident), Hazel Rosetta Smith

(Recovering), Annie Mae Calhoun (Mother of Ethel Calhoun), Ernestine Stroud and Augusta Grubb (Greater Harlem Center for Rehabilitation), Pamela Bray-Bilal (Mother, LuEthel Forrest in Mt. Sinai Neuro

Care Unit), Yvonne Pannell, Percy Hylton, Jr. (Brother of Estelle Hylton Khanna), Sabrina Brown, Dolores

Jeffries (Mother of Arlene Leyba), James Edward Shaw, John Johnson (brother of Trustee Stephen Johnson),

Elijah Gray (grandson of Muriel Goods), Dea. Keith Hines (Mother), Hastie Lowther, Cassie James (Father),

Diane McDaniel Jackson (Sister of Patricia McDaniel), Diane Liotta (Brother), Ernestine Burgess, Alma

Warren, Elizabeth Jackson, Melissa Potter-Ix (friend/colleague of Karen Phillips and John Reddick), Brenda

Morgan, Rether Parker, Judge Donna Mills, Sylvester Oliver, Min. Janine Myrick (Father), Deborah Young

(daughter of Dr. Marcella Maxwell), Shelley Westbrook Lassiter, Constance Lilly, Loretta Donaldson and

Thomas Donaldson, William Highsmith, Jeanette Barcene, Susan Eddington, Alfreda Gatling, Elder

Abraham Gowan, Dea. Harold Sawyer, Dea. Augustus Sam, Dea. Jessie Green, Dea. Aykailey Jackson,

Dea. Eva Vinson. Sister of Dea. Paul Brady, Martha Goodman, Greg Graves, Doris Brunson, former Trustee

Rich Mitchell (Assisted Living), Martha Nichols (Mother of Ann Sheriff).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To Dr. Butts and The Abyssinian Church Family – Thank you all for the prayers and

support. Pastor Butts, thank you for your assistance. Through therapy, I am recovering

well at the Henry J. Carter Specialty & Nursing Facility, and I hope to walk back into

Abyssinian soon. Please continue to pray for me. ~ Edith Brookes

Thank you to everyone who supported the Thank you to everyone who supported the $3.0 in 24MO! Campaign and to those who attended the reception. This two year campaign officially ended on

October 31, 2016. To date, the campaign allowed us to pay for the cost of nearly two of the five floors. Your generosity has been overwhelming.

As you can see, we still have a way to go. For those who have not completed their pledge, we want you to continue your payments even though the campaign has ended from an accounting point of

view. All of your future payments will be noted to your pledge. We ask you to continue to support AbyWest. New initiatives will roll out soon as we continue to forge ahead to reach our goal of $8MM

to complete the entire five floor community center.

We continue to strive to attain 100% participation because we want others to know our membership is committed to this effort. Your support is greatly appreciated!

ABYWEST IS HERE!

This past Homecoming Sunday, Abyssinians were able to tour our new

Educational & Cultural Community Center, and many observed that the building is beautiful! Very soon we will make final payments to take ownership and occupancy. After this step, we’ll start “buildout “of the Fellowship Hall as

it presents strong revenue generating potential to support our programmatic efforts. We could not have come “this far” without the Lord on our side, and

the unwavering support of Abyssinian members.

As we finalize AbyWest, members are encouraged to visit the Trustees table

in the Lobby Bookstore to complete your commitments. If you would like to review your payment balance, stop by the Bookstore after Sunday worship

service no later than December 1st.

Sincerest thanks to everyone as we advance toward the grand moment of

accomplishment!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

BIBLE QUEST

In this season of Advent, we prepare for the celebration of the Nativity with

exceeding joy. So, continue to strengthen your awareness of biblical facts by responding

to as many questions as possible before checking the scripture reference points

provided. http://abyssinian.org/ministry/christian-education/abyssinian-institute-for-

christian-education/ Be intentional about taking time to center yourself as you read the

entire chapter where the answers are found. Blessed Holidays!

1. Which of the minor prophets prophesied that Jesus would be born in

Bethlehem?

2. In the Book of Matthew, where did the wise men come from?

3. By what method did God warn the wise men not to return to Herod?

4. Whose family line does the Gospel of John place Jesus in?

ABYSSINIAN INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (AICE)

2019 FALL COURSES

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY - Deacon Gwenette Reese

Sundays: 9 AM-10 AM - 1st Fl. Conf Rm.

This study of God’s Word is designed to expand its reach to those who are interested

in applying practical solutions to everyday issues. It helps members focus on the will of

God, as they read the Bible through the lens of the African-American experience.

UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION | Instructor: Deacon Dr. Henry McCurtis

Tuesdays – 7 PM – 8:30 PM | 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/25, 3/17 - Blue Rm.

Although we often say we’re depressed when we are having a bad day, disappointing

events or circumstances are a normal part of life and frequently result in passing feelings

of sadness. Depression, on the other hand, is a medical illness that can be associated

with problems with school and/or work, relationships, and quality of life. It can be

precipitated by an adverse life event or simply occur out of the blue. The good news is

that treatment is available, and recovery is possible. Come learn more about

depression.

PAIN, POWER AND PURPOSE | Instructor: Reverend Pamela D. Mason

Tuesdays – 7 PM – 8:30 PM | 1/28, 2/04, 2/11, 2/18 - 1st Fl. Conf. Rm.

“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who

are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). There are times in life when the

enemy places a stumbling block in our path to throw us off course and separate us from

our belief in Christ. However, there lives a force within us that takes what the enemy

sends forth and uses it for God’s glory. This force is triggered when we trust God

through Christ and the completed work of the Cross. It is called faith in practice and it

has the power to transform lives. As we enter 2020, let us take back power we

surrendered to the enemy and begin to walk in our purpose. Learn how to wait on

God and how to use scriptures as affirmations for renewed strength. The enemy only

wins when we participate, so join this study to learn practical solutions for managing

earthly challenges. Fight the good fight of faith a watch the strongholds dissolve.

MINISTRY

Abyssinian’s GOOD GRIEF MINISTRY offers support to members in seasons of

loss and bereavement. Group-setting meeting takes place every other Tuesday,

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM in the 1st Floor Nursery. See below remaining 2019 and upcoming

2020 session dates:

2019 - Dec. 31 • 2020 - Jan 14, 28; Feb. 11, 25; Mar. 10, 24; Apr. 7, 21; May 5, 19;

June 2, 16, 30; July 14, 28.

Good Grief meetings are on hiatus throughout the month of August, 2020. Sessions

resume the first Tuesday after Homecoming Sunday.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted - MATTHEW 5:4

ARE YOU RECEIVING PROPER CREDIT

FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS?

Please assist the Trustees in our weekly tally process by including your membership

numbers with your contributions. The membership number is the key element for

accurate recording of your gifts, and should be noted on all of your contributions for

proper credit. Please Remember:

➢ When placing your Tithe/Offering/Contribution in an envelope, make sure

that your assigned Abyssinian Baptist Church member number is visible

on the top right-hand side;

➢ If you are writing a check, please include your Church member number in

the memo line or at top of the check;

➢ Make sure to inform us of your intentions by noting amount for tithes,

offering, or AbyWest on the envelope, or in the memo section of your

check.

Proper notations, membership numbers, and clear intentions

will help to ensure accurate year-end reporting of your contributions.

MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITIES

Did you know that you can increase your gift to The Abyssinian Baptist Church by simply

notifying your company? In 2018 we received a strong response from our

membership for the Matching Gift Program which resulted in additional

contributions ranging from 25% - 100%.

Find out if your employer is one of more than 1,400 U.S. companies that participates in the MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS. Companies with a MATCHING GIFT

PROGRAM will make a donation to a nonprofit organization that their employees support. Please check with your company's Human Resources Department to see

if it has a Matching Gift Program and applicable policies, then contact the Abyssinian Development Committee, through Trustee Alexis Thomas, 212.862.7474 x210. Every gift we receive helps us manage our Church's many

programs. 2019 Donations can be used to match your tithes, offerings and AbyWest contributions.

ABYSSINIAN TECHNOLOGY

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep The Abyssinian Baptist Church membership on

the cusp of the digital age, we invite you to revisit some our church’s key tech options

and drivers that have been tailored specifically for our congregation:

ABYSSINIAN.ORG

Our website is a living breathing entity that the entire

congregation can use as a tool for engaging in ministry

life at Abyssinian. Ministries and Members are invited

to send information for placement on our website to:

webmaster@abyssinian.org (send info regarding church

events, ministry activities, photos, key accomplishments

or milestones for the “REJOICE” page, and happenings

in our community).

ABY TEXT ALERTS

We use text alerts to inform and remind members of events,

change in service times, special worship opportunities, weather

updates etc. Here’s how you can sign up to receive Aby Text

Alerts: TEXT ABY TO 41400.

ABY TEXT TO GIVE

Currently, Abyssinian offers the option to “give” during the worship

service offertory, by mail, online, during livestream, and through the

kiosk located on the church lobby level. We offer the Option to

Give via Text. You can now TEXT TO GIVE anytime from

anywhere!

How to set up Text to Give: In the “Recipient Box” type in 646-760-3339. In

Message box, enter dollar amount, space, and one of the following key words (for

example: 200 tithes or 10 offerings, or 75 abywest).

Initially you will receive a message with instructions to click to a link

to setup your device for text giving to Abyssinian. The following

steps will take only 5 minutes.

1.Click the link.

2.Login to your SecureGive account

3.Add the information for credit card you want to use for text giving

Next, you’ll receive another message instructing you to reply Y to

receive messages from that number, then another text asking you

to confirm the transaction. You will receive an email confirmation

that your phone number is authorized, as well as an email

confirming receipt of your gift.

646-760-3339

20 tithes

100 tithes

20 tithes

For Wi-Fi Access in Aby Sanctuary and Vestry

Use Network ID: AbyChurchGuest

Password: welcome!

ARTS & CULTURE

Laurence Miller Gallery presents

NYC’s debut of John

Dowell’s COTTON: Symbol of

the Forgotten. Dowell blends a

unique mixture of spiritualism,

historical awareness, racial angst and

deft technique to create

photographic works that inspire the

viewer to recognize injustices

imposed upon the black community,

especially in New York, over the

past 400 years. Throughout the exhibit, Dowell weaves together – both literally and

figuratively – complex historical threads addressing issues of slavery, community, and

memory, all intertwined with cotton. Several of the works are large panoramas,

reinforcing the idea of the vastness of cotton

across the southern American landscape, as

well as the long-term cultural and financial

impact that cotton had on the African-

Americans who harvested it for their white

masters.

In Lost in Cotton, the centerpiece of the

exhibit, Dowell constructed a labyrinth of

floor-to-ceiling fabric panels, covered with

images of cotton plants, to echo his

grandmother’s frightening childhood

recollection of getting lost in the tall fields

of cotton, a thorn-filled maze ripping into

her skin and with no apparent way to escape. Cotton was at the heart of the

burgeoning New York garment industry and economy, and in Bursting Out and The

Long Road, Dowell overwhelms Wall Street, site of an historic slave market, with

cotton. "Cotton is our symbol," Dowell says. "That's black people in this country. You

just mention cotton, you know what I mean, and for those of us who are a little

aware, all the torture, all of that stuff — it's there. And it makes you stop and think.

That's why I'm doing the cotton. I couldn't think of a better symbol." John Dowell is

Professor Emeritus John E. Dowell, Jr. Tyler School of Art, Temple University. For

more information, visit www.johndowell.com

HOLIDAY SEASON ABYSSINIAN CHURCH & OFFICE CLOSINGS

The Abyssinian Baptist Church and Administrative Offices will be closed on

New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2020. The Abyssinian Federal Credit

Union will also be closed on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1st.

Abyssinian’s Monday Noon Bible Class is in recess tomorrow Monday,

December 30th and on Monday, January 6th. The Class resumes on Monday, January

13, 2020.

SERMON NOTES

Take personal notes while listening to the Word of God

Date:

Sermon Title:

Biblical Text:

Points to Note:

PULPIT FLOWERS & CHRISTMAS DÉCOR

by Saundra Parks

212 529.5000

ABYSSINIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

212.368.4471 | adcorp.org

THE ABYSSINIAN BAPTIST CHURCH OFFICERS

Gerald Barbour Chair, Diaconate Board

Eleanor E. Olive Chair, Diaconate Board

Alexis Thomas Chair, Board of Trustees

Walter Douglas Treasurer

Sheila S. Boston Robinson Church Clerk

MINISTERIAL STAFF Reginald L. Bachus Associate Pastor Ext. 203

Itang H. Young Assistant Minister for Youth Ext. 220

Pamela D. Mason Assistant Minister for Christian Education Ext. 204

MUSIC MINISTRY

Ramón Bryant Braxton Director, Music & Fine Arts Ministries Ext. 261

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

Finance Ext. 245

Building, Grounds & Maintenance Ext. 244

WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday

7:00 AM The Praying Band

9:00 AM Bible Class

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:00 AM Worship Service/Sanctuary

10:00 AM-12:15 PM WE Youth Worship Experience/Vestry & Fellowship Hall

2nd Sunday Babies Blessed

3rd Sunday Communion/Right Hand of Fellowship

4th Sunday Baptism

5th Sunday Youth Sunday

Wednesday

7:00 PM Mid-Week Manna

THE ABYSSINIAN BAPTIST CHURCH

132 Odell Clark Place • NY, NY 10030 | 212.862.7474 - T | 646.870.0856 – F

abyssinian.org