I KNOW HOW OLD YOU ARE, AND I DON'T CARE.

Delivered for Youth Day at Holly Springs CME Church, this sermon offers a solution to the problem of feeling too young or too old to do something great for God.


Listen well.

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

"Born for Adversity" A Lesson from Proverbs 17: 17

Proverbs 17: 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

My big sister Janifer and I used to fight (literally, physically fight) all the time. I truly believe that she spent much of the first 12 years of my life trying to figure out how to make my death look like an accident. I confess, too, that I was skilled and busy at getting on her nerves. It’s like we were born to be adversaries.

But, she wouldn’t let anybody (else) mess with me.

She had a near-prophetic sense for when a fight was imminent and she would fly in, ponytails swinging. She’d step between me and whomever it was (which ticked me off to no end, because I usually wanted to fight). Even when it was a bully on the bus bigger than both of us put together, she stood between us and didn’t back down.

And, I was just as protective of her. We went to a 6-12 school, so when I, the 5 foot-nothing, 68 pound jr. high kid, heard or sensed that some upperclassmen was coming at my big sister the wrong way, I’d go find him. And I meant every word that I yelled up at him. Disrespect to Janifer Graves would come with serious/ ” sharp” consequences for him---- and his 2 big friends. They could kick my tail if they wanted to (and sometimes they wanted to) but if anybody touched my sister I would ……Well, let’s just remember that I wasn’t saved then.

The way we watched each other’s backs, it was like we were born for times of adversity.

Today, I consider my big sister one of my very best friends. We love each other.

Being a friend who loves at all times, does not mean that you have to always agree. It doesn’t mean that you have to uphold your friend in wrong or always save them from the just consequences of their choices.
It does mean that even when you aren’t happy with them, you still love them. True friendship, true brotherly/ sisterly love, means that when you see/sense them in danger, you intercede. The danger may be from others, or it may be a danger of their own creation.

Your intercession may be physical and visible, or it may be invisible to all but God.

Pray for your friends. When you truly pray, you talk to God and you listen to Him.

The Lord will show you how to help. Sometimes He’ll provide a way to bring them out. Sometimes His way isn’t what you would’ve chosen. Sometimes His way to help isn’t the help they asked for. Sometimes, He’ll tell you to stand back and let them fight their own fight (and maybe take their own beating).

Love them enough to always love God and His will more. At all times, even in adversity-- love them God’s way.

"OUR BEST FOR HIS GLORY" HOMECOMING & REVIVAL

“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,” says the Lord of hosts. “And in this place I will give peace,” says the Lord of hosts. ------- Haggai 2: 9


Come praise the Lord with us as we usher in a Summer Revival, June 5th-9th.

Revival kicks off Sunday afternoon, June 5th, at 3 P.M. with Homecoming.  Revival continues Monday-Thursday, June 6th-10th, we will have nightly prayer service at 6 P.M. and worship starting at 7 P.M.

Each service will feature a different, powerful preacher:

Rev. Richard Hassell
Presiding Elder of the Montgomery-Phenix City-Opelika District of the CME Church

Rev. Frederick Harris
Pastor of Abraham Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama

Rev. Shirley Cobb
Pastor of Prayer Chapel Ministries, Montgomery, Alabama

Rev. Pierre Primm
Pastor of Garners Chapel CME Church Phenix City, Alabama

Rev. Ken Austin
Pastor of New Walk of Life Church Montgomery, Alabama

No Friday Evening Service

For directions or more information, call 334-288-0577 or email mailto:hallmemorial1@aol.com .

Join us as we deliver “OUR BEST FOR HIS GLORY.”

I KNOW BUT I JUST CAN'T SEE IT

When God calls you to a greater level of service or holiness, we know that God provides the means for us to achieve it. We know that God provides, but still sometimes we just can't see how it's going to happen.

Moses experienced this in Exodus 33 and Jesus dealt with it among His disciples in John 14.

Listen and learn how to find your breakthrough when you say " I KNOW, BUT I CAN'T SEE IT."

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Rev. Anderson T. Graves II, pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church

541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
Call or fax (334) 288-0577 .
Email hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

Watch Your Back with Your Guardain Angel (A Lesson from Proverbs 17: 11)

Proverbs 17: 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

A man was assigned to be ambassador in a far away and hostile country. The king sent with the ambassador a great warrior to be his bodyguard. Over time the ambassador became corrupt, but the faithful bodyguard continued to protect him.

One day as they were resting in the now rich ambassador’s palace, a letter was delivered to the bodyguard. He read it, then drew his sword and put the blade to the ambassador’s throat.

“What are you doing?” screeched the corrupt ambassador, “You work for me. Your job is to protect me! You’ve always protected me.”

“I protected you,” calmly explained the warrior, “because the king said so, but now the king says this.” He cut the ambassador’s head off, got on his horse, and rode away.

If God has assigned you a guardian angel, don’t forget Whom that angel really works for. Don’t think that protection and favor fall on you because you’re just that cool. Don’t assume that your position (even if that position results from a Divine appointment) makes you “untouchable.” God may be merciful and patient, but He won’t be punked by any one.

God draws a line that no human eye can see. Cross that line and not even a guardian angel can/will protect you.

Read the story of the prophet Balaam (Numbers ch. 22 and Joshua 13: 22). If God has dispatched angels to protect you, that's good. But if you're living sinfully and in rebellion to God's Word and will---well, you better watch your back.

DON'T LET THE THIEVES STEAL YOUR BLESSING

This past week a good friend was the victim of a home burglary. His response was not what you'd expect, but it was rooted in his peculiar relationship with Jesus. In John 10, Jesus taught about spiritual thieves attempting a break-in. The Holy Spirit brought the two accounts together in a way I had not seen before.

Learn the who, why, and how of protecting your soul and your salvation.

Listen to the Word, and "Don't Let Thieves Steal Your Blessing."

Podcast Powered By Podbean
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II,

pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
Call or fax (334) 288-0577 .
Email hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

PULL TOGETHER OR FALL APART

"An Essential Church Poised for Ministry in the 21st Century" was the theme of Men's & Women's Day at our sister church, Ebenezer CME. The Word from the Lord was about the destiny He'd already assigned to His men and His women. The challenge is for us to learn from the promise and failures of our 1st ancestors.


The message was "We have to pull together or We will fall apart."

Listen.

Podcast Powered By Podbean
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II,
pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
Call or fax (334) 288-0577. Email hallmemorialcme1@aol.com
Friend Pastor Graves at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves  

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU (An Unintended Sermon on Mother's Day)

On Mother's Day 2011, I wanted to preach a sermon about mothers. God had other plans. What the Holy Spirit delivered was a Word about how we miss what we need most when it's right in front of us, and how we can finally have our hearts and eyes opened to the blessings we most desparately need.

Listen.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

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

MAKING THE GRADE FOR GOD

What does God require of us? Is it enough to be just as good and righteous as everybody else? What if our righteousness is above average? The Bible gives a clear and definite standard. Listen and learn how God judges/ grades our lives and learn how to make the grade God requires.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church,
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, AL 3611.
phone: 334-288-0577
email: hallmemorialcme1@aol.com  

Fifth Episcopal District

Birmingham District -Disaster Relief

Bishop Teresa Snorton, Presiding Prelate

810 18th Street, North, Suite 400-D

Birmingham, AL 35203-3134

http://www.cmechurch.org/

aflcme5@yahoo.com

(205 252-2587

April 30, 2011

Thanks to everyone across the CME Connection who has expressed concern and lifted prayers for the people of Alabama. The effects of the tornado damage done on April 27 to several communities in the Southeast, particularly in the state of Alabama, are massive. The death count is now around 300 and there are still a number of persons missing. Search and recovery efforts are still underway. A number of CME families have been impacted directly or indirectly by these tragic deaths. Schools remain closed and power is gradually being restored. We solicit your continued prayers.

Cash Donations
The College of Bishops is asking CME individuals and congregations to collect and send an immediate offering for disaster relief in Alabama and other affected areas during the month of May. Checks should be made payable to CME Department of Finance, noting it is for Disaster Relief. These donations and future contributions should be mailed to the Presiding Bishop of your Episcopal District.

The following disaster relief efforts have been organized in the Fifth and welcome your support:

Birmingham District
Individuals and congregations (local and from nearby states) are asked to donate the following items:

Bottled water, tooth paste, tooth brushes, soap, deodorant, shaving cream, disposable razors, shampoo, body lotion, combs, sanitizer, Kleenex tissue, toilet tissue, and new or clean, gently worn folded clothing (men, women and children, socks, and underwear (new) for all ages.

The presidents of each Missionary Society are to supply the following items to Mrs. Geraldine Odom, Birmingham Regional Missionary President: wash cloths, diapers, and female sanitary items.

All items can be dropped off at the Metropolitan C.M.E. Church, 1600 Avenue K, Ensley, Birmingham, AL, Rev. Jacob Colbert, Pastor, Phone # (205) 520-4209.

Drop Off times are as follows:
beginning Saturday, April 30, at 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Sunday, May 1, from 1:00 � 3:00 p.m.,
Weekdays (Mon � Fri) from 9:00 � 2:00 p.m.

The distribution centers for the communities with the greatest needs are:

1. Trinity C.M.E. Church, Pratt City, Rev. George Hill, Pastor, 124 Page Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35214 and

2. St. John C.M.E. Church, Ensley, Rev Eddie Richardson, Pastor, 1710 Slayden Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35224

For additional information, contact:
Rev. Geraldine Daniels � Southside C.M.E. Church, Birmingham,AL
(1:00-5:00 pm Eastern) 205-252-5673
Email address: gadaniels1056@sbcglobal.net

Tuscaloosa District
Bailey Tabernacle CME Church (Rev. Dr. W. Clyde Jones, pastor) is providing meals for the community. Food donations (canned goods, non-perishable items, frozen items) can be taken to the church at 1117 23rd Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401-2941.

Bailey Tabernacle is also serving as the host site for the American Red Cross� Spiritual Response Team�s Condolence Center, where families who have lost a loved one can go and receive spiritual/pastoral care and other forms of support.

Matthew 25: 35-36 reminds us �For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me�.

Let us work together for the good of our community by showing the love of God to our neighbors in this time of pain and loss. Thank you for all your support!

Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Presiding Bishop
Fifth Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church