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Order Of Service

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

The 133rd Anniversary Of The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Worship Leader: Rev J Ricardo Smith, Pastor, Brown Chapel Baptist Church, Bishop, GA

The Doxology Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

* The Call to Worship: “Renewed to Rise” Rev. J. Ricardo Smith

Leader: From “Little Bethel” in 1892, God planted a faithful people who rose from a two-room house to a mighty church of hope.

People: We rejoice in every pastor and member who waited on the Lord and renewed their strength through fire, faith, and fellowship

Leader: Through rebuilding and revival, God has made us soar on eagles’ wings strong enough to serve, steadfast to believe

People: We celebrate 133 years of service, renewing our faith, rejoicing in our heritage, reconnecting to our mission.

Leader:

The same Spirit that guided Rev. Carey, Rev. Maddox, Rev. Cooper, Rev. Bennett, and so many others still call us today

People: Here we are, Lord renewed, rejoicing, and reconnected to Your purpose for Greater Bethel AME Church!

Opening Hymn:

#52 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah William Williams/Peter Williams/Mrs. Dilys Webb

1. Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand; Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more, Feed me till I want no more.

2 Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through; Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my strength and shield, Be Thou still my strength and shield

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side; Songs of praises, Songs of praises I will ever give to Thee, I will ever give to Thee. Amen.

The Invocation:

The Reverend Margaret Arnold Fleming, Pastor, St. James AME Church, Arnoldsville, Georgia

The Invocation Response:

#52 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

William Williams/Peter Williams/Mrs Dilys Webb

*Please stand as you are able

Song of Praise:

The Athens Voices Of Truth

Scripture:

The Reverend Betty Booker, Great Life Ministries, Bogart, Georgia

Song of Praise:

The Athens Voices Of Truth Announcements:

Pastor’s Aid Ministry

The Offering

Brother DaMoney Jones

The Welcome and Memorial:

Sister Gwen Manzy, Greater Bethel AME Church

Song of Praise:

The Athens Voices Of Truth

The Introduction Of The Preacher: The Reverend Marben Bland, Pastor, Greater Bethel AME Church

Sermonic Selection:

Athens Voices of Truth

The Message:

The Reverend Christopher Wimberly, Hunter Hill First Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

*The Invitation to Christian Discipleship

#251 I SurrenderAll 1. Judson W. VanDeVenter/Winfield S. Weeden All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily give. Refrain: I surrender all, (I surrender all). I surrender all, (I surrender all). All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

2. All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow; Worldly pleasures all forsaken, Take me, Jesus, take me now

Remarks:

Sister Cheryl Jones, Steward ProTem, Greater Bethel AME Church

*The Benediction

The Reverend Christopher Wimberly, Hunter Hill First Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

*Please stand as you are able

Pastoral Letter

The Reverend Marben Bland, Pastor,

Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Athens, Georgia

Beloved Greater Bethel Family, Today, we joyfully celebrate 133 years of faith, service, and endurance under the guiding hand of Almighty God. From humble beginnings in 1892, when Reverend J.R.. Carey and a small group of believers gathered in a two-room home called “Little Bethel,” to the vibrant congregation we are today. Greater Bethel has stood as a testament to God’s sustaining grace. Through fires, rebuilding, and renewal, God’s Spirit has continued to strengthen us. Leaders such as Reverend F.C. Maddox, Jeffrey Cooper, and our first female pastor, Reverend Sharon McDaniel-Miller, each built upon the faith of those who came before, helping this church grow in love, service, and community impact. Our theme, Renew, Rejoice, Reconnect, invites us to return to the spiritual core that has sustained us for generations. As Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” We are renewed through His power, we rejoice in His faithfulness, and we reconnect with one another through love and service. From “Little Bethel” to “Greater Bethel,” God’s promise remains firm: if we trust Him, we will soar on wings like eagles into the future He has prepared.

Christopher A. Wimberly, Sr., Senior Pastor

Hunter Hill First Baptist Church of Atlanta,

Georgia

A native of Winder, Georgia, Pastor Wimberly was called to preach at age 19. Licensed to preach in 1977, he began his pulpit ministry in 1999 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Hartsville, Tennessee, where he faithfully served for five years. Since June 2004, he has served as the visionary undershepherd at the historic Hunter Hill First Baptist Church in Northwest Atlanta. Pastor Wimberly is committed to “taking the church beyond the walls” and has successfully achieved this throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by applying the core principles of his E7 Vision. This includes evangelizing and enlightening the sinner, embracing and encouraging the suffering, equipping and empowering the saints, and exalting the Savior. A passionate speaker, Pastor Wimberly’s powerful messages make him a highly sought-after revivalist and preacher nationwide. As the owner and operator of Wimberly Funeral Home in Gainesville, Georgia, he’s also a talented entrepreneur who leads with a servant’s heart. He is a graduate of Liberty University and the recipient of the distinguished Paul A. Anderson Scholarship from Beulah Heights Bible College in Atlanta, Georgia. Pastor Wimberly is married to the love of his life, Felicia, and they are the proud parents of two children: a daughter, Jahri, and a son, Christopher Jr.

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Memorials & Advertisements

He is sorely missed by many, especially his wife Katheryn, daughter Karalyn, son-in-law Harold, son Kirt, daughter-in-law Cherie and grandchildren Lauryn and Trey

GARY JONES

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle

Your Loving Wife Cheryl

Your Children Gary, Carlos, Candace, Rokayah

Your Grandchildren Gary, Andre, Tenique, Amelia

INLOVING MEMORY OFOURMOTHER

MRS.EURABELLECOPELAND

You’re gone from us physically, But your Love, Kindness, and Unselfish Manner lives on In Our hearts always.

Your Daugthers

Beverly Copeland Winifred C. Maye .

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o G r e a t e r B e t h e l A . M . E O n Y o u r A n n i v e r s a r y

I g m ry

R e v . I s a a c C . Y e l d e r

P a t s y W . Y e l d e r

T h e o d o r e R . Y e l d e r

M a r y W . G a m b l e

T h e Y e l d e r F a m i l y

T h e P a s s F a m i l y

T h e S m i t h F a m i l y

INLOVINGMEMORY

Brother Rufus Sims

Sister Alma Sims

The Sims Family

Sons: Bro. Charles Sims, Bro. Harold Sims,

Daughters: Sis. Lizzie Childres, Sis. Hazel Sims,

Grandson: Bro. Lenzy V. Childres, Jr,

Great Granddaughters: Sis. LaTasha V. Sims, Sis. Alma Nakesia Hutton

Greater Bethel

In Memory of the Deadwyler Family

Mr. John Henry “Pa” Deadwyler & Mrs. Sally ”Sally Momma” Gregory Deadwyler Parents

Mr. Harrison Richard “Hap Daddy” Hill & Mrs. Bertha Lucille “BerthaMamma” Thrasher-Hill Daughter

Mr. Harrison Richard “Bulb/Bro” Hill, Jr., Son & Juanita Stephens-Hill, Daughter-in-law

Doris “Tut” Hill-Pettaway, Daughter

Mr. Gary Harrison “Dilly” Pettaway, Grandson

Ms. Barbara Aclair “Bob” Hill, Daughter

Mr. Marcus Demetricus “Bro-Bro” Stephens, Grandson

Mr. William Garfield “Scount” Stephens, Grandson

Mr. Linton David “Uncle Lint” Curry & Mrs. Ella Mae Curry, Daughter

Mr. John Sylveter “Moonbeam” Thrasher & Mrs. Minnie Ann “Baby

Sister/Pooh Pooh” Thrasher, Daughter

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth “Lizz” Thrasher Hoard, Daughter

Mrs. Phyliss Ann Thrasher-Thomas, Daughter

Mr. Adolphus Phillip “Tonka” Thomas, Grandson

Mr. David Pierce “Bro” Thrasher, Son

Mrs. Sylvia Juanita “Nee” Thrasher-McMullen, Daughter

Mr. Donarell Green, III, Son-in-law

Mrs. Annie Jean Thrasher -Huff, Daughter

Master Takei Bertram “Kei” Thrasher, Grandson

Mr. John Arnold, Son-in-law

Dedicated

to the memory of

Rosie Kelly - Grandmother Ruby Cole - Mother

Every day and in every way, I thank God for the love you brought into my life and the memories you continue to bring to it. Your wisdom, grace, and warmth still guide me reminding me that love never dies.