OURHISTORY
ThebirthoftheWomen’sHomeandOverseasMissionarySocietyofTheAfrican MethodistEpiscopalZionChurchoccurredin1880attheOldShipA.M.E.Zion Church in Montgomery, Alabama, for the purpose of integrating A.M.E.Zion churchwomenintheministryofinvestingincommunitiesaroundtheworld.The Women’sSocietyistheoldestandlargestlayorganizationofTheA.M.E.Zion Church.
Sinceinception,missionarymembershavevigorouslyrespondedtotheChurch’s vision of planting churches overseas, to the extent that more than one hundred years later the Society is involved in such diverse areas as West Central and SouthAfrica,England,India,Angola,Guyana,WestIndies,andtheCaribbean Islands,withitsoverseasflagshiplocatedinBrewerville,Liberia,WestAfrica (1878).
OutstandingcontributionshavebeenmadebyA.M.E.Zionmissionariessuchas SojournerTruth(1797-1883)andHarrietTubman(1820-1913),whoweremost influential in American history as abolitionists and human right leaders.Today, Dr.SandraL.Gadsonservesasthe17thInternationalPresidentoftheSociety.In thisleadingrole,PresidentGadsonturnsourfocustothefutureusingaguiding principleofwomenhelpingtheworld,whichliesattheheartofallthatwedo.
Structurally, the Society is comprised of six departments that form an inter- generationalbridgeformissionparticipationbychildren,youthandadults.This contingent of churchwomen looks beyond traditional roles to innovation approachesinaddressinghumanneeds.
The 2015-2019 Quadrennial Theme is “The Great Commission-A Global Outreach:PersonalCalling,PersonalTransformation,PersonalInstruction,and PersonalCommitment.”OurthemeforthisQuadrenniumischallengingaswe explorewhattheGreatCommissionis,whatitmeans,andhowdoweapplyit. Wehaveansweredthecalltobepartofalargerorganization,now,howdowe individuallyacceptthecalltodo,togo,andtowinothersforChrist.
Contributionsfromthe“WHOMSAnniversary”observanceare sent to the District President who submits these funds to Rosetta J. Dunham, ExecutiveDirector
Women’s Home and Overseas MissionarySociety
P.O. Box 26846 - Charlotte, NC28221-6846
Preparedby
Sandra L. Gadson, International President, WH&OM Society
Rosetta J. Dunham, Executive Director, WH&OM Society
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTHANNIVERSARY OFTHE
WOMEN’S HOME AND OVERSEAS MISSIONARYSOCIETY
THEAFRICANMETHODISTEPISCOPALZIONCHURCH
Sunday, May 7, 2017 QuadrennialTheme:
“The Great Commission-A Global Outreach: Personal Calling, Personal Transformation, PersonalInstructionandPersonalCommitment”
LocalPresident: Pastor:
Church:
Order ofWorship
ORGAN PRELUDE (The congregation in devoutmeditation)
PROCESSIONAL CALL TOWORSHIP
ThereisonebodyandoneSpiritjustasyouwerecalledtoonehopewhenyou werecalledoneLord,onefaith,onebaptism;oneGodandFatherofall,whois overallandthroughallandinall.
Ephesians4:4-5
Leader:God is calling me; God is calling me in all whose cry is unheard. Godiscallingme;Godiscallingmetoraiseupthevoicewithno power orchoice:
All:And to tell the world that God’skingdomisnear,toremoveoppression and breakdownfear.
THE GLORIA PATRI THE APOSTLES’CREED
INVOCATION AND CHORALRESPONSE
OGodourFather,aswecelebratethisday;wethankyouforyourfaithfulness andpresencewithusthroughthecenturies.Werejoiceattheassurancethatyou takepleasureinus,thatweareknownbyyou,calledbyyou,andempoweredby youtolivehonorablyandhumbly,inthespiritofJesusChrist.Wewouldexalt your name and sing for joy, knowing that we can trust you for the continuous guidance and direction we need.Amen.
HYMNOFPRAISE“LiftHimUp”BH#668
RESPONSIVEREADING
Leader:God has chosenme; God has chosenme to bring goodnewstothe poor, God has chosen me; God has chosen me to bring sight to those searching for thelight;
People:And to tell the worldthat God’s kingdomisnear,toremoveoppression and breakdownfear.
Leader: God has chosen me; God has chosen me to set alight a new fire. Godhaschosenme;Godhaschosenmetobringbirthtoanew kingdom onearth.
People:And to tell the worldthat God’s kingdomisnear,toremoveoppression and breakdownfear.
SCRIPTURELESSON Matthew 25:34-40; 28:18-20
PASTORALPRAYER
CHORALSELECTION/ANTHEM NOTICES/ANNOUNCEMENTS MINISTRY OFKINDNESS
THE OFFERING &OFFERTORY
THE CELEBRATION OF 137th ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION OF THEMESSENGER
HYMN OF PREPARATION “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”BH#678
THEMESSAGE
THE INVITATION TO CHRISTIANDISCIPLESHIP THE HYMN OFINVITATION
RECESSIONAL