Worship Weblog

Report from Grant Recipient: First African Methodist Episcopal Church: BETHEL in New York City

Posted by cicw

Friday, February 27th, 2009

From Betty Grit:

A 2008 Worship Renewal Grant was awarded to First African Methodist Episcopal Church: BETHEL, in New York City, to help worshipers learn, reflect and worship together. The pastor, Rev. Henry A. Belin, III stated “We are excited about what this grant will allow us to do. We are calling this season of worship renewal, Project Ignite! because it is our hope that, just as the tongues of fire at Pentecost ignited those early believers, the Holy Ghost will ignite us as a congregation, renewing our worship and witness.”

The project began with more than 90 individuals praying for the Season of Worship Renewal. In September, Ignite! Sunday began a process that included a Congregational Study Series focused on the biblical foundations of worship. More than 40 participants interested in planning worship gathered for a retreat and during October and November the congregation focused on the Psalms. Four intergenerational worship planning teams have been created and are planning worship.

As an outgrowth of this worship renewal process, the planning team developed a Fat Tuesday observance that focused on areas of New Orleans and Mississippi that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Moments of remembering, prayer and a financial offering were a part of the gathering.

It is always our prayer that a process of Worship Renewal will lead a congregation beyond itself, to give itself away to minister to the needs of the local community and the world. We are grateful that the process of worship renewal has led this congregation to reach out to their brothers and sisters in Louisiana and Mississippi.

In the coming months, their Worship Renewal process will focus on a Lenten Lecture Series with Drs. Michael Brown and James Abbington on March 21-22 and Dr. James Cone on April 4.

We give thanks for the congregation of First African Methodist Episcopal Church: BETHEL and its leaders for what they are teaching us about worship renewal.

Tags: Betty Grit, communities, congregations, HolySpirit, lent, Pentecost